Large employers urge Hartford Hospital to be reasonable in Anthem negotiations

Rate negotiations between Anthem and Hartford Hospital have become tense as the October 31st contract end date nears, according to a CT Mirror article. On Monday a coalition of self-funded health plans, including the Office of State Comptroller on behalf of CT’s state employees, sent a strongly-worded joint letter to Hartford Hospital questioning the hospital’s case for double digit rate increases and critical of efforts to frighten patients. The large plans are not part of the negotiations but will have to pay large rate increases and out-of-network costs if reasonable rates cannot be agreed on. Next year’s state budget is expected to be $3.4 billion in deficit. The letter urges Hartford Hospital to agree to performance-based payment reform, to improve the quality and efficiency of care, ensuring that any increases are linked to increased value.
Ellen Andrews