ACEP is actively pushing back against Anthem’s new facility policy in 11 states, including Wisconsin, that would impose a 10% payment cut on its in-network hospitals when out-of-network physicians are involved in care. While emergency services are currently exempted, this policy is a clear subversion of the federal No Surprises Act, and is of strong concern to ACEP. ACEP therefore joined with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) to send a joint letter to Elevance (Anthem’s parent company) outlining how the policy is unworkable and threatens access to care, and requested a meeting with company leadership.

ACEP leaders will be joining ASA and ACR leaders in a meeting on Monday to further press these concerns. In addition, ACEP has joined a broad AMA-led federation sign-on letter urging the insurer to rescind the policy and instead pursue collaborative solutions that support physician practices and protect patient access to care.