Anthem Blue Cross, Cottage Health reach contract agreement

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - Anthem Blue Cross and Cottage Health have reached an agreement shortly after Cottage was set to eliminate its contract with the insurance company.

Anthem Blue Cross announced on their website on Wednesday:

"Cottage Health has rescinded its contract termination with Anthem Blue Cross, effective immediately. This means Cottage will remain part of Anthem’s provider network. We are pleased Cottage has rescinded its contract termination and we look forward to working with Cottage to make healthcare simpler, more affordable, and more accessible for those we serve."

The agreement comes just in time for the new year. The continuation of the contract means that Anthem Blue Cross members will be able to continue using non-emergency services from the Cottage hospitals.

Anthem said, without an agreement, Cottage hospitals' non-emergency care would not be covered as an in-network benefit for individual or employer-based PPO, EPO, HMO and POS health insurance plans according to Noozhawk.

This agreement applies to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital and Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital.

Cottage Health spokesman Bob Behbehanian told Noozhawk that the two companies have been negotiating their terms since August.

Anthem and Cottage Health said that emergency services available through Cottage Health hospitals is always covered as an in-network benefit by insurers according to Noozhawk.

Cottage Health spokesman Bob Behbehanian said Anthem members with questions can call Cottage Health at 805-879-8909 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or email insurance@sbch.org.