Anthem Medicare Advantage
Piedmont has been working with Anthem on contract renewal terms for Anthem's Medicare Advantage plan, but at this point has been unable to reach an agreement. Piedmont’s current participation expires Dec. 31, 2026. If we are unable to reach an agreement, the contract will expire and Piedmont will no longer be in Anthem's network for MA patients.
The termination includes all providers in the Piedmont Clinic as well as all Piedmont inpatient hospital facilities.
In addition, this applies to freestanding and joint venture ambulatory surgery centers, home health, and hospice services, including but not limited to:
- Ortho Atlanta Surgery Center of Fayetteville
- Surgery Center of Athens LLC
- The Surgery Center
- Georgia Surgical Center on Peachtree
- Piedmont Home Health
- Piedmont Community Imaging (Columbus, North Columbus, Marietta)
No. This situation primarily affects patients enrolled in an Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Individual Medicare Advantage plan.
Many Anthem Medicare Advantage members are covered through employer-sponsored or group retiree plans ("GRS plans"), which typically provide the same benefits for in-network and out-of-network care. Patients enrolled in those plans should be able to continue receiving care from Piedmont physicians, hospitals, urgent care locations and facilities with no change in coverage.
In addition, this situation does not affect Anthem commercial health plans.
Patients with Individual Medicare Advantage (non-GRS) plans who are receiving ongoing medical treatment should contact Anthem and verify whether their condition qualifies for continuity of care benefits. These benefits may allow patients to continue receiving treatment from Piedmont providers for a period of time and be covered at their in-network benefit level if the contract ends.
As mentioned above, Patients enrolled in GRS plans should be able to continue receiving care from Piedmont physicians, hospitals, urgent care locations and facilities with no change in coverage.
For patients seeking emergency care, Piedmont treats every patient who comes through our doors regardless of their coverage or ability to pay. Any patient experiencing a medical emergency is encouraged to visit the nearest emergency room. Patients should contact Anthem with questions about their specific coverage and benefits.
If you want to continue those services with Piedmont or a Piedmont provider and you do not intend on switching plans during annual enrollment, we suggest rescheduling your appointment to an earlier date, before Jan. 1, 2027.
If you want to switch plans, as described below, you do not need to adjust your appointment(s).
Medicare Annual Enrollment currently runs from Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2026. During this period, Medicare beneficiaries may review their 2027 coverage options and determine which plan best meets their healthcare needs. Piedmont does not recommend or endorse any particular Medicare plan, and patients should make their own coverage decisions based on their individual circumstances.
To explore your options, visit www.medicare.gov/plan-compare or Piedmont’s Insurance Resources page at Piedmont.org/insurance.
If you have coverage other than an Anthem Individual Medicare Advantage plan, please notify your physician's office or other Piedmont care location so your insurance plan information can be updated. Otherwise, beginning January 1, 2027, you may be treated as “self-pay”.
Every year patients have the opportunity to select a Medicare Plan during Annual Enrollment. This window is open from Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2026.
Patients may review their options by visiting https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/ or visit Piedmont’s Insurance Resources page at Piedmont.org/insurance. Patients who have questions about their current coverage should contact Anthem using the phone number on their insurance card.
We understand how complex and confusing Medicare coverage can be. To assist patients, Piedmont is making available a Medicare Insurance Helpline, serviced by MedicareCompareUSA, an independent health insurance agency and non-government entity.
Contact Piedmont’s dedicated Medicare Insurance helpline at:
*855-314-6162*, TTY 711
Monday-Friday 9am-8pm*MedicareOnDemand.com/Piedmont*
MedicareOnDemand is a non-government platform hosted by MedicareCompareUSA, an independent health insurance agency not affiliated with the federal Medicare program. All services are provided at no cost and without obligation; MedicareCompareUSA and affiliated agents are paid directly by the Medicare plan when enrollment occurs. Healthcare providers receive no financial benefit when using the service. MedicareCompareUSA does not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 7 organizations which offer 59 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. MULTIPLAN_4029_MODProvMedWebCO_PDT_C