While Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield didn't release any updates as 2019 came to a close, the two sides apparently are continuing negotiations for a new contract.
Negotiations for a new contract actually broke down in the fall of 2019, but Anthem patients were recognized as in-patient for NGHS facilities and services through December 31, 2019. As that deadline approached with no action from either side, two state lawmakers from the area planned a meeting to bring the parties together. That meeting was canceled on Saturday, Dec. 28 when it appeared a contract resolution was in sight.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day came and went with no word from either side on progress.
On Thursday, Jan. 2, NGHS spokeswoman Beth Downs confirmed in a phone conversation that negotiations were still underway and NGHS hoped to have news to share in the near future.
Downs said the passing of the Dec. 31, 2019 deadline does mean some NGHS locations are not in the Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield network; however, many locations are.
Those locations that are included in the network right now are:
- Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville
- Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton
- Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center
- The Ronnie Green Heart Center
- Laurelwood
- HealthLink Laboratory (Gainesville, Dawsonville, Braselton)
- The Imaging Center (Gainesville, Dawsonville, Buford, Braselton)
- The Rehabilitation Institute (Gainesville, Dawsonville, Cleveland, Dahlonega, Buford, Braselton)
- Sleep Disorder Center of NGMC (Gainesville and Braselton)
- New Horizons Limestone
- New Horizons Lanier Park
- The Toccoa Cancer Center
Downs suggested patients with questions go to the NGHS website to see answers to frequently asked questions about coverage during the ongoing negotiation process. Follow this link to find the page.
