Anthem deal with MU Health Care includes yearly reimbursement increases

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will increase its reimbursement rates paid to University of Missouri Health Care by 3.5% each year under a deal reached this summer.

The deal, which was agreed to in August but took effect retroactively on April 1, was the result of months of negotiations between the insurance giant and the health care provider that left local patients in limbo. The old contract expired on April 1. A new deal wasn't reached until mid-July.

MU Health Care declined to give out any details of the deal at that time. Records obtained by ABC 17 News through an open records request show that Anthem agreed to a 3.5% increase in reimbursement each year through 2028.

Reimbursement rates had been a sticking point in negotiations. Anthem claimed MU Health Care wanted a roughly 39% increase over three years. MU Health Care leaders said Anthem was offering paltry 1% to 2% increases.