We’ve been doing everything we can to finalize a new agreement with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield New York for months. Yet, Anthem has refused a reasonable contract that ensures uninterrupted access to MSK’s life-saving cancer care. MSK is one of the top providers of cancer care in the nation with lower overall costs and superior patient outcomes compared to other hospitals in the NYC region. Anthem’s current reimbursement rates for MSK are significantly lower compared to our peers. Despite the evidence and concessions we have offered, we have not been able to come to an agreement with Anthem. As a result, MSK may not be part of Anthem’s network in 2025.       

If MSK is removed from Anthem’s network, we expect cancer patients insured with Anthem will see higher costs and a reduced quality of care. MSK is working hard to avoid this and continues to push Anthem to come to the table and agree to a reasonable contract. Ultimately, each patient’s individual situation depends on the type of care they are receiving and the type of insurance plan they have with Anthem.

We encourage patients to call Anthem at the number on the back of their insurance card to tell them they want to keep access to MSK. If they receive their insurance through their employer, they can talk with their human resources or benefits department and urge them to contact Anthem.

Yes, patients may have the opportunity to switch to a new insurance plan, especially if they are approaching their employer’s open enrollment period. Open enrollment is typically the time when employees can review and make changes to their health insurance coverage. If they’re able to choose a new insurance plan, MSK has relationships with many insurers, including United Healthcare, Oxford, Aetna, Cigna and several other plans that are listed on mskcc.org.

We can help patients learn about their options and select a plan that includes MSK in its network to ensure continued access to our care.

Additionally, if patients experience a qualifying life event — such as a change in household, loss of health insurance, or a change in residence — they may be eligible to enroll in a new insurance plan outside of the open enrollment period. We encourage them to explore their options and select a plan that includes MSK in its network to maintain access to our care.

If patients have questions or need assistance navigating their options, they can call our Patient Financial Services team at 646-227-3378 or message the team through the patient portal, my.MSKCC.org. They can also go to MSK.org/financial-assistance for more information.

Yes. MSK is in-network with many plans offered by New York City to its employees. Employees who are currently covered by Anthem can choose a different plan that will ensure continued in-network access to MSK. One low-cost health plan available to city employees is the HIP plan, which includes MSK in its network. We encourage NYC employees with Anthem to talk with their HR or benefits department to learn about the other insurance plans available to them and when they can sign up for them.

• MSK will remain in-network with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for everyone through December 31, 2024.  
• Patients in active treatment will qualify for “continuity of care,” which will extend their in-network coverage for an additional 90 days beyond the end of the year. We are committed to ensuring that patients can continue their care without interruption during this period.

All patients with Anthem insurance who are in active treatment will qualify for the “continuity of care” program, mandated by New York State and federal law, which will extend their in-network coverage for an additional 90 days beyond the end of the year. Patients will receive a letter from Anthem or their Blue Cross plan that will explain how to register for this program. Any appointments or procedures that fall within that 90-day window will be covered under in-network rates. We have also asked Anthem to further extend that period for MSK’s active patients and are awaiting their response. 

We encourage patients to contact Anthem directly to understand fully their continuity of care options and how their plan will cover their treatment if MSK becomes out-of-network. After speaking with Anthem, patients should also reach out to their MSK care team to discuss next steps in their treatment. If they have questions about how much their care will cost if processed through out-of-network benefits or are concerned about the cost of their care, patients should contact our Patient Financial Services team at 646-227-3378 or message the team through the patient portal, my.MSKCC.org. They can also go to MSK.org/financial-assistance for more information.

Yes, we are proactively reaching out to Anthem patients to inform them of this potential change and the options they have to keep MSK in-network. Patients may consider choosing a different insurance plan if they are able to do so during their employer’s open enrollment period or if they experience a “change in life” event, such as a change in household, loss of health insurance, or change in residence. MSK has partnerships with many insurers, including United Healthcare, Oxford, Aetna, Cigna, and many others that are listed on mskcc.org.

They will be eligible for “continuity of care” under New York State and federal law, which extends their in-network coverage for an additional 90 days. Patients will receive a letter from Anthem or their Blue Cross plan that will explain how to register for this program.

Yes, the termination of our contract with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, formerly known as Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield NY, impacts all services provided in New York for all Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans under the Blue Card program. This includes members of out-of-state BCBS plans and Horizon BCBS members who access care in New York.

However, MSK has a separate agreement with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield that applies to services provided in New Jersey. In New Jersey, all Horizon BCBS members and all BCBS members with “Blue Card” benefits, including those under Anthem/Empire, will still be able to access care at MSK through our Horizon contract, which is not affected by this termination. Additionally, MSK is contracted with Anthem at our Bergen and Monmouth locations in New Jersey, as these counties are adjacent to New York. For those members with “Blue Card” benefits, Horizon could serve as a fallback option as long as all care and services are provided only in New Jersey.

MSK is dedicated to supporting patients in navigating their financial options. We encourage those facing financial difficulties to reach out to our Patient Financial Services team at 646-227-3378 ormessage the team through the patient portal, my.MSKCC.org. They can also go to MSK.org/financial-assistance for more information.

Patients may also consider switching to a different insurance plan during their employer’s open enrollment period or after a qualifying life event, such as a change in household, loss of health insurance, or change in residence. MSK has partnerships with many insurers, including United Healthcare, Oxford, Aetna, Cigna, and many others that are listed on mskcc.org. Our priority is to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent our patients from accessing the care they need and deserve.

If patients are concerned about paying their hospital bills, they can call our Patient Financial Services team at 646-227-3378 or message the team through the patient portal, my.MSKCC.org. They can also learn more at MSK.org/financial-assistance. MSK doctors and other medical staff do not know when someone has asked for help. We will never change how we provide care just because a patient has asked us for financial help.

If patients have questions about their plan and keeping access to MSK, they should call Anthem. The phone number is on their insurance card. If they have questions about how much their care will cost if processed through out-of-network benefits, we encourage patients to reach out to our Patient Financial Services team at 646-227-3378 or message the team through the patient portal, my.MSKCC.org. They can also go to MSK.org/financial-assistance for more information.

Yes, we are doing everything we can to finalize an agreement with Anthem and have been for months. In the past, we’ve similarly been able to reach agreements with insurers prior to the contract terms ending. We will continue to press Anthem to come to the table and ensure their plans provide uninterrupted access to MSK’s life-saving cancer care.

If an agreement is reached after the contract termination date, we will work to reinstate in-network access as quickly as possible. It is also possible we could agree to an extension that would temporarily extend in-network coverage while a final agreement is reached. MSK will communicate any updates to patients and partners as soon as possible, ensuring that everyone is informed of any changes to their insurance coverage.