18,000 Patients Face Disruption as Anthem Ends Meridian Contract in 10 Days

New financial details reveal the full scale of the approaching Anthem-Meridian Medicaid split, now 10 days from taking effect on July 25.

An estimated 18,000 adults and children rely on Meridian Health Services through Anthem's HIP, Hoosier Healthwise, and Hoosier Care Connect programs. Medicaid patients make up 68% of Meridian's total patient base, meaning the Anthem termination threatens the majority of the organization's revenue.

Meridian holds the highest Prospective Payment System (PPS) reimbursement rate — the rate Medicaid pays for patient services — among all 40 federally qualified health centers in Indiana. Anthem has framed the contract termination as a response to Meridian's reimbursement demands.

The timing is especially concerning for mental health and addiction services. IU Health recently closed its addiction services in Muncie, leaving Meridian as the largest mental health and addictions provider in the East Central Indiana region. With no comparable local alternative, patients in recovery face a gap in care.

Anthem is offering temporary "Continuity of Care" extensions for high-risk cases, but the broader patient population faces an abrupt loss of in-network access.

Meridian serves patients across multiple counties in East Central Indiana, including Blackford County. Residents on Anthem Medicaid plans who use Meridian for primary care, mental health, or addiction services will lose in-network access when the contract expires July 25.

Source: Muncie Voice — "Anthem HIP Terminates Contract with Meridian Healthcare" (published July 14, 2026)