How you can keep your Mercy Health doctor | Opinion
As a physician who has dedicated my life to serving the health care needs of our community, it is imperative that I speak out on Anthem’s decision to potentially limit access to health care for more than 23,000 Cincinnati area residents with Anthem Managed Medicaid and Medicare Advantage insurance plans.
In July, Mercy Health shared we were forced out-of-network by Anthem for those with Managed Medicaid insurance plans. Unfortunately, we recently announced that if Anthem is unwilling to reach an agreement, Mercy Health will also be out-of-network for those with Anthem Medicare Advantage insurance on Oct. 1.
This means that our Anthem Medicare Advantage and Medicaid patients, with whom we have developed trusting and long-term relationships, may be forced to seek care elsewhere.
As a long-time resident of this community, I am deeply disappointed and disheartened by this. My greatest concern lies with the families who rely on Mercy Health for their health care needs. It is unfair that they now have to worry about finding new doctors or making alternative arrangements when the care they need and the providers they trust are right here at Mercy Health.
We remain in-network with all other Ohio Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans, and regardless of coverage, we will continue to see all patients for emergency treatment in our hospitals.
As a caregiver, I am compelled to help ensure you have a roadmap to navigate this challenge − and I want to share a path that will help ensure you can continue to see your Mercy Health physicians. If you have Anthem Managed Medicaid, I strongly encourage you to reach out to the Ohio Department of Medicaid at 1-800-324-8680. They can guide you through options for switching plans to enable you to continue accessing covered care at Mercy Health facilities.
For those with Anthem Medicare Advantage plans, please talk with your broker or call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) at 800-633-4227 to explore options. Open enrollment starts Oct. 15, and this will be an opportunity to select a plan that keeps Mercy Health providers in-network.
We will continue to provide updates and information on Mercy.com/elevancehealth.
Mercy Health has been integral to the Cincinnati community for many years. Our relationship with the community and our patients is invaluable, and we are fully dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care for you well into the future. Our patients deserve access to the quality care they know and trust, and I will continue to speak out on their behalf to ensure this is available to them every day.Emmett C. Roper Jr., MD, FACP is a board-certified primary care physician with Mercy Health in Cincinnati.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How you can keep your Mercy Health doctor | Opinion
