Scripps Health and Anthem Blue Cross Resume Partnership
After four months of uncertainty, Scripps Health and Anthem Blue Cross have announced that their relationship is back on track, affecting around 125,000 residents in San Diego County who had to rethink their healthcare coverage.
Scripps reached out to patients, informing them that those with Anthem Blue Cross insurance can now schedule appointments with approximately 3,000 affiliated doctors and access a network of hospitals and healthcare providers across the area.
Previously, in the fall of 2024, Scripps alerted patients that their contract with Anthem might not be renewed due to disagreements over the pre-approval process for billable medical procedures.
Richard Neil, the Chief Growth Officer at Scripps, shared that the new agreement merely extends the existing contract until September 30, 2026. However, issues regarding refunds and previous approvals for medical procedures still need resolution.
“This is an extension, not a new agreement,” Neal clarified. He emphasized the importance of creating a long-term, sustainable partnership that focuses on ensuring fair payments to Scripps while also prioritizing patient care.
Information about the specific fate of many beneficiaries affected was sparse. Some patients decided to switch carriers during the typical open enrollment period, which takes place in the fall.
When Scripps ended its network with Anthem on January 1, there was no data provided regarding how many patients changed their carriers or switched to other local healthcare options.
Beth Andersen, president of Anthem Commercial Health Plans in California, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “We look forward to Scripps Health rejoining San Diego’s local network of care providers. Our members and employer clients remain our top priority, and we work hard to reach agreements in good faith.”
This announcement brought relief to many patients. Ron Struberg from Rancho Penasquitos mentioned that, while his wife aimed to remain within the Scripps system, he had to seek alternative care in recent months due to urgent health needs.
“I think it’s great news for those of us who value our history with Scripps,” Struberg noted, though he also highlighted how many have formed new relationships with other providers during the disruption.
Struberg expressed mixed feelings, unsure whether to return to Scripps or stay with new providers who had offered them care. His wife, however, plans to return to Scripps as soon as possible.
When questioned about the possibility of extending the contract a year earlier, Neil explained that negotiations were proposed but ultimately declined at the time.
Financially, it seems Scripps didn’t experience significant losses during the brief separation, as reports indicated a slight increase in revenue for most commercial health insurance providers within the first quarter of 2025.
Neil mentioned that patients with specific insurance types allowing self-referrals can immediately access appointments at Scripps. In contrast, those with HMO plans will need to contact Anthem to reassign their providers.
The new contract does not cover Anthem plans associated with the covered California health insurance exchange. Neil didn’t provide further details on this exclusion, but noted there were around 14,000 Scripps patients in Anthem’s California plan at the end of 2024, many of whom switched insurers to retain access to Scripps during the last open enrollment period.
