Contract talks between Northern Light Health and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield failed to reach an agreement Friday night \u2014 the deadline for reaching a deal to ensure in-network health coverage continues for about 30,000 Mainers.<\/p>\n
However, on Saturday morning Northern Light President and CEO Guy Hudson told the Press Herald that Anthem patients would not be treated as out of network as negotiations continue.<\/p>\n
Anthem could not be reached Saturday to confirm.<\/p>\n
In an emailed statement Friday night, Anthem spokesperson Jim Turner said Northern Light would be \u201cunwilling\u201d to extend the current contract past the Oct. 31 deadline.<\/p>\n
Northern Light Health, however, said negotiations were continuing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been negotiating throughout the day and remain confident that we can get an agreement signed in the agreed upon timeframe,\u201d said Suzanne Spruce, Northern Light Health\u2019s senior vice president. \u201cWe are disappointed that Anthem has decided to again release false information to the media as discussions are ongoing.\u201d<\/p>\n
In an email to the Press Herald on Nov. 1, Hudson said patients who are Anthem customers will continue to receive care with Northern Light without disruption while negotiations continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey will not be treated as out of network,\u201d Hudson wrote. \u201cWe are committed to their health and care, which is why we are dedicated to a contract that protects the services they need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Northern Light operates Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Mercy Hospital in Portland, and a network of primary care and specialist services in much of northern and central Maine.<\/p>\n
About 30,000 Anthem enrollees are Northern Light patients, including state employees and some nurses and firefighters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re committed to continuing talks until we reach an agreement that keeps Northern Light Health in our network at prices Mainers can afford,\u201d Turner said.<\/p>\n
The original contract for non-hospital services would have ended on Sept. 30, but the two sides came to a last-minute agreement to extend the contract to Oct. 31, after Gov. Janet Mills became involved.<\/p>\n
The contract for hospital services ends on Dec. 31. <\/p>\n