Important Information About Shenandoah Emergency Medicine Specialists

Shenandoah Emergency Medicine Specialists (Shenandoah ER) has let us know that it plans to leave Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Anthem HealthKeepers plan networks on July 1, 2021. Shenandoah ER practices at Augusta Health in Fishersville, Virginia.

We understand how important it is for our members to have access to the doctors and hospitals they know and feel comfortable with. We are committed to making sure our members have access to high quality, affordable healthcare.

We would like to keep Shenandoah ER in our health plan networks, but we cannot agree to the rate increases they have asked for. These rates would have a significant impact on healthcare costs for Virginia consumers.

We will continue to work with Shenandoah ER and hope to reach an agreement that will keep them in our members’ health plans.

Shenandoah ER informed Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Anthem HealthKeepers that it plans to leave our Virginia plans’ networks on July 1, 2021.

The following plan networks will be affected if we don’t reach an agreement with Shenandoah ER by July 1, 2021:

Members in and near Augusta County can receive emergency care from ER doctors in their plans' network at several hospitals and urgent care centers in the area. We included a list of these facilities in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

If they have a medical emergency, members should always go to the nearest emergency room. This includes Augusta Health. Anthem plans cover emergency care regardless of where members receive it. If members receive care from Shenandoah ER after they leave Anthem networks, Anthem will pay the member directly for the care, based on the members' benefits when they receive care in their plan's network. Members will be responsible for paying Shenandoah ER.

 

Contract discussions between health insurers and healthcare providers are standard and routine. We value our relationship with Shenandoah ER, and we will keep working toward an agreement that keeps them in our plans' networks. We hope to reach an agreement before July 1, 2021.

 

We believe hospitals and doctors should be paid fairly for the care they provide our members, and this is reflected in the contract terms we have offered Shenandoah ER. The businesses and communities we serve in the Augusta County area, and across Virginia, rely on us to deliver access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. We value this trust and take our responsibility seriously.

 

We will keep this site updated with the latest information.

A: If we don't reach an agreement with Shenandoah ER, they will no longer be in Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Anthem HealthKeepers plan networks starting July 1, 2021. We will keep working with Shenandoah ER and hope we will reach a new agreement.

Q: What medical group is affected by these negotiations?

A: Shenandoah Emergency Medicine Specialists.

A: Shenandoah ER practices at Augusta Health in Fishersville, Virginia.

A. The following plan networks will be affected if we don’t reach an agreement with Shenandoah ER by June 30, 2021:

Q: Is the hospital where Shenandoah ER practices still in Anthem’s network?

A: Yes. Augusta Health is and will stay in Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Anthem HealthKeepers plan networks.

A: If they have a medical emergency, members should always go to the nearest emergency room. Anthem plans cover emergency care no matter where members receive it. Other urgent care centers and several other hospitals near Augusta Countyand in the surrounding areas have ER doctor groups. For a complete list of these facilities, members can use our Find Care tool on the Sydney Health^SM mobile app or by logging in to anthem.com. Member Services can answer questions and help members find care in their plan’s network.

 

 

Alternate facilities for the following Anthem network health plans: