Des Peres Hospital and Saint Louis University Hospital
Cancel Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri and HealthLink Contracts

Anthem refuses to negotiate with hospitals

St. Louis – Dec. 6, 2011 – Des Peres Hospital and Saint Louis University Hospital announced today that they are cancelling managed care contracts with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri and HealthLink effective Dec. 31, 2011. This means that Anthem and HealthLink members will be forced to pay out-of-network rates with higher co-pays when they use one of the two hospitals because Anthem has refused to negotiate a new contract.

“We have been trying to negotiate new contacts with Anthem and HealthLink since July,” said Philip Sowa, chief executive officer at Saint Louis University Hospital. “Despite several attempts to engage Anthem in meaningful discussions, they have refused to negotiate and have not provided us with a single proposal.”

As a result, on Dec. 31, 2011, Des Peres Hospital and Saint Louis University Hospital’s contractual relationship with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri and HealthLink will end.

“We recognize that this is very disruptive for our patients, physicians, employees and the community,” said Sowa. “We have been able to resolve all contract negotiations with all our other plans without a disruption in service; however, Anthem's position has made it nearly impossible for us to make any real progress toward resolution.”

For more information visit: www.TenetAnthemIssue.com.