Scripps Health & Anthem Negotiation

Scripps Health is currently negotiating with Anthem Blue Cross on a new agreement. In May 2025, Scripps and Anthem agreed to extend the current contract while continuing discussions toward a new, sustainable agreement. That extension is set to expire on September 30, 2026. 

Like most health care organizations, Scripps continues to face rising costs for staffing, medications, supplies and equipment. It is essential that Anthem recognize these realities and provide reimbursement to Scripps facilities and doctors that reflect the true cost of delivering care without adding avoidable complexity or barriers to access. Anthem has not agreed to fair payment and reduced bureaucracy to support Scripps’ ability to provide you and your family members with the high-quality care you expect and receive from Scripps.  

Scripps remains committed to reaching an agreement that is fair, sustainable and aligned with our mission and values. Our goal is to reach a new agreement before the current extension ends.

Nothing has changed at this time. 

You may continue to schedule appointments and receive care at Scripps hospitals, clinics and physician offices as you normally would. 

While Scripps is disappointed that new terms have not yet been finalized, we are actively working with Anthem to find mutually acceptable terms that will allow Scripps to continue serving Anthem members. 

These negotiations are complex and can take time. We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. 

In May 2025, Scripps and Anthem Blue Cross agreed to extend their current contract while continuing negotiations toward a new agreement. Those negotiations are ongoing, and the extension is set to expire on September 30, 2026. 

Scripps continues to work with Anthem to reach a fair and sustainable agreement before that date. 

At this time, you may continue to schedule appointments and receive care at Scripps as you normally would.

If you have questions about your specific plan, contact Scripps or Anthem. 

Scripps’ goal is to reach an agreement before the current extension expires on September 30, 2026. For now, patients should continue to schedule appointments and receive care as usual. 

If anything changes, Scripps will post updates on this page. 

If keeping Scripps in network is important to you, we encourage you to: 

1. Contact your employer’s Human Resources department if you receive insurance through work and ask about options to preserve in-network access to Scripps. 
2. Call Anthem at the number on the back of your insurance card to ask how a potential network change could affect your care, costs and access to Scripps providers. 

To view a list of insurance plans Scripps Health participates in, please click here.

A contract between a healthcare provider and a health plan sets the terms for how they work together. When a hospital or physician group participates in a health plan’s network, both parties agree to terms that may include: 

• Payment rates for services 
• Pre-authorization requirements 
• Coverage rules 
• Claims review and payment processes 

These contracts help determine how care is accessed, approved and paid for. 

Negotiations between health systems and insurance companies are often complex. They may involve multiple topics, including: 

• Payment rates 
• Coverage policies 
• Pre-authorization requirements 
• Claims denials 
• Administrative processes 

Scripps is focused on reaching terms that are fair, sustainable and support continued patient access to high-quality care. 

Pre-authorization means a health plan may require approval before certain visits, tests, procedures or treatments are covered. 

If pre-authorization is required but not obtained, the health plan may deny payment for those services, even if they were ordered by a physician. 

A denial happens when a health plan decides not to pay for part or all of a patient’s care. 

This may occur for different reasons, including a determination that pre-authorization was required or that the service did not meet the plan’s coverage criteria. 

Reimbursement is the amount a health plan pays a hospital, clinic or physician for the services provided to a patient. 

Reimbursement rates are part of provider contracts and are one of the key issues addressed during negotiations. 

Patients with Traditional Medicare or a Medicare Supplement plan are not impacted. 

If you have Traditional Medicare or a Medicare Supplement plan, you can continue to visit Scripps hospitals and physicians as you normally would.

Yes, Anthem Medicare Advantage PPO is impacted. Scripps’ goal is to reach an agreement before the current extension expires on September 30, 2026. For now, patients should continue to schedule appointments and receive care as usual. 

If anything changes, Scripps will post updates on this page. 

Scripps is available to help answer questions. 

Call Scripps 

1-800-SCRIPPS

Monday through Friday 

7 am to 7 pm PT 

Call Anthem 

For questions about benefits, claims or your specific plan, call Anthem at the number on the back of your insurance card.