Anthem-Meridian Medicaid Split Takes Effect July 25 With No Deal Reached

The network split between Anthem and Meridian Health Services takes effect July 25 with no deal, extension, or state intervention announced. More than 18,000 Medicaid patients in East Central Indiana face disruption as they are transferred from Meridian to other providers.

Anthem will continue covering commercial and private-pay patients through Meridian, but Medicaid enrollees — including those on HIP, Hoosier Healthwise, Hoosier Care Connect, and PathWays for Aging — will need to find new providers or switch plans. Meridian's website continues an advocacy campaign urging residents to "Speak up for Indiana families," but no resolution has been announced.

The split is particularly significant for Blackford County Schools, which partners with mental health providers for school-based services under a memorandum of understanding noted at the July 21 school board meeting. School-based clinics are among the services Meridian has flagged as at risk.

Residents affected by the transition can call Anthem's continuity of care lines: HIP/Hoosier Healthwise at 866-408-6131, Hoosier Care Connect at 844-284-1797, or PathWays for Aging at 833-412-4405.

Source: Meridian Health Services website (meridianhs.org); Western Wayne News (July 22)