Keeping Healthcare Affordable for All Missourians
February 13, 2025Important Information for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Members About Our Negotiations with University of Missouri Health Care
University of Missouri Health Care (MU Health Care) has notified Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri (Anthem) that it will no longer accept Anthem Medicare Advantage members starting April 1, 2025.
MU Health Care is currently seeking a 39% price increase over 3 years—more than four times the rate of inflation for Anthem members who receive coverage through employer-sponsored, Taft-Hartley programs, small business and individual plans and has notified us of their intent to leave our networks if we don’t reach an agreement by April 1, 2025.
What's Happening?
Anthem’s current contract with MU Health Care is set to end effective April 1. This contract sets the prices MU Health Care charges its patients covered by Anthem.
MU Health Care is currently seeking a 39% price increase over 3 years—more than four times the rate of inflation. This number is unprecedented.
Standing against an unprecedented and irresponsible price hike is part of our mission as we continue to protect access to affordable care for all Missourians.
For members covered by Anthem Medicare Advantage health plans
MU Health Care has chosen to end its contract to serve Anthem Medicare Advantage health plan members on April 1, 2025. This means Anthem Medicare Advantage members may pay more for care at MU Health Care after that date. Please see below for information about alternative care providers and additional steps we’ve taken to assist members currently receiving treatment at MU Health Care.
For members covered by Anthem employer-sponsored, Taft-Hartley programs, small business and individual plans
Without a new agreement, MU Health Care will leave Anthem’s networks on April 1. We know MU Health Care is an important provider for many families. But we also know the proposed price hike of 39% over three years creates a massive financial burden for members and employers.
Without a new agreement, MU Health Care will leave Anthem’s networks on April 1. We know MU Health Care is an important provider for many families. But we also know the proposed price hike of 39% over three years creates a massive financial burden for members and employers.
These higher costs would mean Anthem members would pay higher deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, 80% of Anthem members are covered by employers who directly pay their employees’ healthcare bills. That means that Central Missouri employers will have to shoulder the burden, instead of using that money to invest in employee wages and business growth.
Our Offer: Fair Payment Increases That Keep Healthcare Affordable
At Anthem, we’re committed to keeping MU Health Care doctors and facilities in our health plan networks—because access to affordable care matters for businesses, employees, and families. Our current offer to MU Health Care is fair and ensures affordability while supporting the care MU Health Care provides. We’ve also proposed performance-based incentives that reward MU Health Care for delivering high-quality, value-based care—helping to control costs without putting an extra burden on employers, employees, and families.
At Anthem, we’re committed to keeping MU Health Care doctors and facilities in our health plan networks—because access to affordable care matters for businesses, employees, and families. Our current offer to MU Health Care is fair and ensures affordability while supporting the care MU Health Care provides. We’ve also proposed performance-based incentives that reward MU Health Care for delivering high-quality, value-based care—helping to control costs without putting an extra burden on employers, employees, and families.
Affordable healthcare is essential. These increases will create financial challenges for families, businesses, and the state as a whole.
Anthem Remains Committed to Keeping MU Health Care in Our Networks
We continue to work hard with MU Health Care to negotiate reasonable payment increases that fairly compensate them for the care they provide while also keeping care accessible and affordable for all Missourians.
We remain committed to working collaboratively with MU Health Care to reach an agreement before April 1, 2025.
For Our Members Currently Receiving Care at MU Health Care
For patients currently in treatment at MU Health Care for serious or complex conditions, in-network benefits with their current care provider will be extended for a limited time after April 1, 2025, or until their course of treatment concludes. MU Health Care remains in our networks until at least April 1, 2025, and we are committed to reaching an agreement to keep them in our networks well beyond that date. Please continue to check this website for updates.
For patients currently in treatment at MU Health Care for serious or complex conditions, in-network benefits with their current care provider will be extended for a limited time after April 1, 2025, or until their course of treatment concludes. MU Health Care remains in our networks until at least April 1, 2025, and we are committed to reaching an agreement to keep them in our networks well beyond that date. Please continue to check this website for updates.
Anthem Medicare Advantage members can continue to seek medical care at MU Health Care through April 1, 2025—but after that date, MU Health Care will be out of network.
Should MU Health Care choose to proceed with leaving Anthem’s networks, we are ready to assist you in transitioning to alternative in-network providers. For patients currently in treatment at MU Health Care for serious or complex conditions, in-network benefits with their current care provider will be extended for a limited time after April 1, 2025, or until their course of treatment concludes. Please contact our Member Service Center at the number on your Anthem ID card for more information.
In the event MU Health Care leaves our network for your plan, we have coordinated with our other Central Missouri care provider network partners to ensure our members will have access to high quality care. These include:
- Boone Hospital and Physicians
- SSM St. Mary’s Hospital Jefferson City and Physicians
- Jefferson City Medical Group (JCMG)
- Moberly Regional Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I need emergency medical care from MU Health Care?
Even if MU Health Care leaves our networks on April 1, 2025, members should always call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room in a life-threatening situation. Coverage for emergency care will be provided according to the member’s policy benefits at in-network cost shares.
Even if MU Health Care leaves our networks on April 1, 2025, members should always call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room in a life-threatening situation. Coverage for emergency care will be provided according to the member’s policy benefits at in-network cost shares.
Who will be impacted?
If MU Health Care chooses to leave Anthem’s networks, Anthem members enrolled in employer-sponsored, Taft-Hartley, small business and individual plans will be impacted.
Please note: Anthem Medicare Supplement, Heathy Blue Medicaid, and University of Missouri Student Advantage plan members are not impacted.
Where can I go for information and updates?
We will update this website as negotiations continue. Anthem members may also login to the Sydney Health app or anthem.com, or call our Member Service Center at the number on their ID card for more information.
We will update this website as negotiations continue. Anthem members may also login to the Sydney Health app or anthem.com, or call our Member Service Center at the number on their ID card for more information.
