Dozens of legislators urge Northern Light, Anthem come to an agreement in dispute over cost of care

Three weeks after Northern Light Health announced it is cutting ties with health insurance provider Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, 75 Democratic and independent lawmakers are urging both parties to reach an agreement in order to protect coverage for tens of thousands of Mainers enrolled in the network.

Northern Light announced in a letter on August 15 that it would no longer work with the insurance provider after months of failed negotiations on a new contract. 

The dispute arose over costs, with Anthem alleging that Northern Light “wants to drastically increase the prices it charges to its patients and their employers.” Anthem’s parent company Elevance reported nearly $6 billion in profits in 2024.

Northern Light, which operates a network of hospitals and medical centers across the state, said Anthem has delayed provider reimbursements and “imposed a disproportionate administrative burden on our health system, diverting critical resources away from patient care.” This comes, they note, “during a period of considerable financial pressure on rural health systems across the country.”

On August 22, Anthem suggested bringing in a mediator, to which Northern Light agreed, according to an update posted by the insurance provider. 

However, if no contract is secured by October 1, Northern Light will consider patients who use Anthem out of network for physicians and some other services such as dialysis, hospice and urgent care, and effective December 31, that will extend to hospital-based services, according to Northern Light Health’s public statement.

On Tuesday, Democratic and independent members of the Maine Legislature wrote a joint letter to the presidents of both organizations, urging them to reach a new contract through mediation.

Roughly 30,000 Maine people covered by Anthem health insurance plans would lose their

in-network coverage at Northern Light facilities, states the letter co-signed by Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland) and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford). The failure to reach an agreement would have a “significant and immediate negative impact across the state,” they said.

“In many instances, Northern Light is the only health care provider for Maine communities. Lack of an agreement will limit options and put healthcare access at risk,” Fecteau and Daughtry wrote.

“Maine people could be forced to skip trips to the doctor or drive hours across the state for life-saving treatment. They may also find themselves having to pay more out of pocket for services no longer covered by their insurance.”

Patients in rural areas told the Bangor Daily News that they might have to travel farther and switch physicians if a new contract with Anthem is not finalized.