Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield announced Thursday that it will reverse a policy that was set to take effect in February, CBS reports.
The decision comes after widespread criticism from healthcare providers, patient advocacy groups, and policy experts who raised concerns about the potential impact on access to care.
The now-abandoned policy would have introduced stricter requirements for certain insurance claims, including new preauthorization protocols and narrower coverage for out-of-network services. Critics warned the changes could have led to delays in care and increased financial burdens for patients.
“Anthem’s original policy would have jeopardized timely access to critical healthcare services,” said Dr. Emily Warren, a spokesperson for the American Medical Association. “We are relieved to see them reconsider after hearing the voices of patients and providers nationwide.”
Anthem said the reversal was made after receiving feedback from stakeholders. In a statement, the company emphasized its commitment to balancing quality care and cost-efficiency.
“We’ve listened to the concerns of our members, healthcare providers, and advocacy organizations,” said Michael Johnson, Anthem’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our goal has always been to ensure high-quality, affordable care, and we believe pausing this policy allows us to achieve that more effectively.”
It also comes a day after the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally gunned down before a shareholders meeting in NYC.
#Clique, thoughts?
