Northeast Georgia Health System is very close to a agreement with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield that will extend insurance coverage to Anthem patients, the health system confirmed Saturday in a statement.
“At this time, the parties are down to finalizing language pertaining to a handful of items. Both parties are working diligently and intently on finalizing an agreement,” the statement said.
Earlier Saturday, two members of the Georgia General Assembly said they were cancelling a planned public hearing in Gainesville on Monday to discuss the negotiations, saying they believed the two sides were close to a tentative agreement.
“We are pleased that the negotiations between Anthem/Blue Cross and Northeast Georgia Health System are close to a successful outcome for those who live and work in the Northeast service area, thereby ensuring that our constituents and their families will not go without the health insurance of their choice starting January 1, 2020,” said the joint statement from Sen. Butch Miller, R-Gainesville, and Rep. Terry England, R-Auburn.
The previous agreement between NGHS and Anthem expired Sept. 30, but hospital officials agreed to treat Anthem patients as in-network through Dec. 31.
Shortly after the old agreement ended, hospital officials told AccessWDUN that the two sides had stopped talking.
But last week, the two sides appeared close to a deal, and the health system’s statement on Saturday indicated the two sides were in active negotiations.
“NGHS and Anthem are actively engaged in negotiations and meeting regularly to work out mutually agreeable terms,” the statement said.
Miller said he was comfortable cancelling the planned public hearing, because he believes the two sides are very close to a deal.
This story will be updated.
