Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Discusses Contract Negotiation with MSK: What Members Need to Know

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is currently in discussions with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) to keep them in our care provider network through 2025 and beyond. We continue to work hard toward an agreement, and we remain optimistic one will be reached that maintains our members’ access to affordable care at MSK.

 

Our current agreement with MSK for members covered by the City of New York CBP Hospital Only plan expires at the end of this year, but MSK will remain in Anthem’s network until at least March 1, 2025.

 

 

Our negotiations focus on the prices that MSK will charge our members for care. MSK is a world-class cancer institute and is currently paid accordingly. In fact, Anthem currently reimburses MSK at rates at or above other national cancer Centers of Excellence.

 

MSK is currently asking for double digit price increases each year for the next three years. This would send prices skyrocketing for New Yorkers and their employers. As just one example, under MSK’s proposed price increase, an already-expensive mastectomy would cost $23,800 more in 2027 than it does right now. These are increases that would be directly felt by our members and their employers.

 

We understand that, like all New York businesses, hospitals face cost pressures.  That’s why we have offered reasonable price increases that keep MSK well-funded, are like those in place with other national cancer Centers of Excellence, and would maintain access to affordable care at MSK.

 

Affordable healthcare is important. What good is a world-class care center if no one can afford it?

 

 

Our members should continue accessing care at MSK as they have in the past.  We remain confident an agreement will be reached that keeps MSK in our network beyond March 1, 2025.

 

 

We are New York’s leader in building collaborative, innovative provider relationships. Our provider partnerships are vital to helping us achieve high-quality, results-driven healthcare and improving the lives and health of the people and communities we serve. In fact, no large metropolitan health system has exited our network in more than ten years.

 

 

We will keep working with MSK to reach an agreement that’s focused on access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. We will update this site as we continue our efforts.

 

 

A: Please note there is no immediate change to healthcare coverage for the City of New York CBP Hospital Only Plan members as Memorial Sloan Kettering is still in our provider network through at least March 1, 2025. We are working hard to keep them in our network beyond that date and we’re confident an agreement will be reached. But, if not, Anthem members covered by the City of New York CBP Hospital Only Plan will be impacted.

 

A: Nothing different. Members should continue to access care at MSK or any of our other in-network cancer Centers of Excellence just as they have in the past.

 

A: Because of our collaborative approach with New York hospitals, Anthem offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive care provider networks, including other cancer Centers of Excellence here in New York and throughout the country, such as:

• NYU Langone’s Perimutter Cancer Center
• Montefiore’s Einstein Cancer Center
• Columbia University’s Herbert Irving Cancer Center
• Mt. Sinai’s Tisch Cancer Institute

 

A: We will update this page as negotiations continue in the coming weeks and months. Please return here for updates or contact the Member Services Center at the phone number on your Anthem ID card.

 

A: Our members should continue accessing care at MSK as they have in the past. It is important to remember that MSK will stay in Anthem’s PPO network through at least March 1, 2025. We are optimistic a new agreement will be reached that keeps MSK in our network through 2025 and beyond. Even if that does not happen, you may be able to continue your care at MSK facilities for a limited time beyond March 1, 2025, if you are getting certain types of care.

 

A: Anyone in need of emergency care should immediately go to the nearest emergency room or call 9-1-1. Anthem will cover emergency services for our members whether the hospital is in-network or not. It is important to remember that MSK will remain in Anthem’s network through at least March 1, 2025. After that date, Anthem Employer-sponsored members can still receive emergency care at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

 

A: For more help, call Member Services at the number on your member ID card. Please check this site for updates about our efforts to reach an agreement with Memorial Sloan Kettering.