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Northern Light and Anthem Negotiations

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

As we previously announced, Northern Light Health, which operates Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Mercy Hospital in Portland, and a large network of primary care and specialty care services, has been negotiating a new contract with Anthem.  This contract sets the prices that Northern Light charges to its patients and their employers.

Northern Light has recently stated that if contract negotiations with Anthem do not result in a new agreement, all Northern Light doctors, specialists, outpatient clinics, non-hospital based facilities and hospital-based physicians will no longer be in the Anthem provider network after their contract runs out on September 30, 2025. Northern Light hospitals would exit Anthem’s network on December 30, 2025, for employer-sponsored health plans, such as the policy the Health Trust provides to its employer groups.

While negotiations are ongoing, and there are several months before the contract renewal date, no agreement has been reached at this time.  We are hopeful that an agreement will be reached soon, but we are ready to assist members if these providers and facilities leave the Anthem network. 

The Health Trust is concerned about the potential lack of access to these established providers and hospitals, and we understand that members may be anxious about disruption with their current providers.  However, we also recognize that there is a balance to be maintained in order to control the costs of healthcare.  Northern Light has asked for increases in the amounts they are paid for services provided, and these costs are shared by all Health Trust members.

Please note that members on a Health Trust PPO plan are not required to have a PCP under their plan. However, if negotiations fail and if you continue to see a Northern Light facility or provider after that time, your benefits will be paid at the out-of-network level. However, under the Continuity of Care provisions, you may also be able to continue treatment with your current doctor(s) for a limited time after that contract termination date, if you are receiving certain types of care.

The Health Trust will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as they become available. If negotiations continue to break down, we will provide more details about Continuity of Care options at a later date.

State Law requires that 60 days’ notice be provided to members if their doctor leaves the network. Anthem will send out letters to all impacted members at the end of July if an agreement cannot be reached by that timeframe.

Please contact MMEHT Member Services if you have questions about the Continuity of Care process or want assistance with finding a new provider if you choose.  Member Service Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-852-8300.

Anthem information regarding Northern Light negotiations

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