Even though Anthem Blue Cross-Blue Shield and Hartford HealthCare settled their contract dispute earlier this month, the state legislature”™s Insurance and Real Estate Committee is holding a hearing today on the matter.
The new three-year agreement, reached on Nov. 18 and retroactive to Oct. 1, restored in-network coverage for tens of thousands of Anthem members treated at Hartford HealthCare facilities. But during the seven-week dispute, thousands of Anthem-covered patients scrambled to maintain their health care.
Patients who received care during the seven-week period that was considered out-of-network will be able to have their bills readjusted for in-network costs.
The legislature”™s hearing, which had been scheduled before the agreement was announced, is designed to help avoid such events in the future. Expected to testify are representatives from Anthem and Hartford HealthCare, as well as Comptroller Kevin Lembo and Connecticut’s Healthcare Advocate Ted Doolittle. The public will also be allowed to testify.
