Maine’s largest insurer is partnering with a for-profit primary care provider in Bangor.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield on Tuesday announced that Convenient MD’s primary care office at 689 Broadway will now be included in its network of providers, which the insurer said is part of an effort to increase access to primary care.
“We know that primary care doctors serve as the quarterback of care for their patients, helping patients ensure that they are taking the necessary steps to maintain and improve their health,” said Denise McDonough, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine. “We are excited to welcome the team at ConvenientMD’s new Bangor location to our network. Anthem members already take advantage of ConvenientMD’s services at their Urgent Care clinic in Bangor, and throughout the state. We’re eager to expand the variety of treatment options available to Anthem members with this new primary care office in Bangor.”
That comes after Northern Light Health health broke off contract negotiations with Anthem last week, meaning the system’s hospitals, primary care and other services will move outside the insurer’s network on Oct. 1.
In severing negotiations, Northern Light said it sent Anthem a counteroffer on July 30, but the insurer declined to submit a response. The system hopes an agreement can be reached.
In 2022, a contract dispute between MaineHealth and Anthem played out in public, with the health system accusing the insurer of owing millions in back payments and holding up and disputing millions more in payments, while Anthem accused MaineHealth of millions in overcharges.
Before the contract expired, both sides reached a deal, preventing MaineHealth from withdrawing from Anthem’s network.
Convenient MD currently has 12 locations across the state, including primary care offices in Bangor and Portland and urgent care walk-in clinics in Bangor, Belfast and Ellsworth. It has a 13th location in the works in Farmington.