The Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc, (SSFHS).—which operates Saint Anthony Memorial Health Center in Michigan City, among other facilities—has announced that it would rescind plans to terminate its contract with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana, “thereby ensuring patients will continue to receive in-network benefits.”

According to a statement released on Monday, “The Sisters of St. Francis and Anthem officials say they have made progress in negotiating a new multi-year contract and will continue their discussions until an agreement is reached.”

An agreement would cover the following SSFHS medical facilities and physicians:

•Saint Anthony Memorial Health Center in Michigan City.

•Saint Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point.

•Saint Margaret Mercy Healthcare Center in Hammond and Dyer.

•Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster.

•St. Elizabeth Regional Health in Lafayette.

•Home Hospital in Lafayette.

•St. Clare Medical Center in Crawfordsville.

•St. Francis Hospital & Health Center in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, and Mooresville.

•More than 300 physicians in the different SSFHS service areas.

The affected plans are Anthem Blue Access PPO, Anthem Blue Preferred HMO, Anthem Traditional, Anthem Medicare Advantage PPO, and Anthem Healthy Indiana Plan.

SSFHS, headquartered in Mishawaka, is a network of 13 growing hospital campuses in Indiana and Illinois and one of the largest healthcare systems in Indiana. The system’s healthcare ministry was established in 1875. For more information visit www.ssfhs.org

In Indiana Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name for Anthem Insurance Companies Inc.

Posted 11/11/2008