Action for Health

01/13/2026

Anthem’s new penalty hits hospitals with a 10 percent cut for using qualified out-of-network doctors. In short, they are penalizing hospitals for providing patients with all of their care options. This means, hospitals lose funding, doctors get squeezed, and you are left with higher premiums and fewer options for care.

This is happening while Anthem/Elevance posts billions in profit.

The truth is simple: Anthem made a policy decision that shifts its financial burden directly onto patients and communities that can’t afford it.

People deserve better than a healthcare system where corporate decisions put their access and their wallets at risk.

12/31/2025

Anthem is calling its new 10 percent penalty a cost-control measure, but what it really does is punish hospitals for using the only specialists available. It hits the people delivering care while Anthem continues reporting billions in annual profit.

Hospitals will be forced to absorb this penalty, risking access to care and stripping patients of healthcare choices. Rural communities — more than 750 hospitals already at risk — lose access.
Families pay more. Patients wait longer. Care gets worse.

Anthem created this problem, and they’re hoping people won’t notice. It’s time to push back.

Learn more at AnthemWatch.org

12/22/2025

Don't miss this important column in The National Pulse today from Raheem Kassam!

https://thenationalpulse.com/analysis-post/this-big-insurer-is-now-punishing-hospitals-for-putting-patients-first/

There’s a new policy by healthcare insurance provider Anthem, currently rebranding as Elevance Health, that would actually penalize hospitals when out-of-network physicians provide care for patients.Snuck out earlier this year, and due to take effect on January 1, 2026, the policy threatens admini...

12/08/2025

We’re launching a new special project today! 👏

In the weeks and months ahead, Anthem Watch is going to be documenting this company’s anti-patient, anti-provider, and anti-American health actions. And we’ll be equipping everyone to address these problems, protect , and !

Anthem Watch: A New Accountability Project from Action For Health Effort Comes as Payor Seeks to Cement Provider Penalty by Jan 1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 8, 2025CONTACT Christopher Sheeron+1 (202) [email protected] WASHINGTON — National nonprofit Action for He...

10/19/2021

We submitted our public comments on the 's proposed rule - our 4th set of recommendations to federal regulators - this week. Read them in the docket below!

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services The White House Xavier Becerra

09/20/2021

Terrific new letter from Reps. Suozzi, Ruiz, Bucshon, and Wenstrup to Secs. Becerra, Yellen, and Walsh iterating intent and a regarding the !

Xavier Becerra Janet Yellen Secretary Marty Walsh Brad Wenstrup Congressman Raul Ruiz, MD Rep. Tom Suozzi Rep. Larry Bucshon

09/16/2021

Our President Christopher Sheeron was in this week to moderate the panel at the Annual Conference!

He was joined by the Benjamin Rush Institute's Rebecca Kiessling and UBERDOC's Dr. Paula Muto for a lively discussion on the impacts on and , the , and the importance of the government's current implementation process.

07/12/2021

Important read in Bloomberg Law from Sara Hansard on the 's first rule. Many thanks, Sara, for including our President Christopher Sheeron in your coverage.

Employer groups are happy with the first rule implementing a law aimed at protecting patients from large “surprise” bills from emergencies and hospital procedures. It appears to keep payment rates lower than what medical providers were calling for.

07/06/2021

Terrific article in The Wall Street Journal on the first rule. Many thanks, Stephanie Armour, for citing our work on this critical issue!

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The Biden administration issued a rule that applies to patients who receive medical care out of network.

07/01/2021

This week, Action for Health submitted its initial analysis and recommendations to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, , and regarding the implementation process of the .

Be sure to read below!

The important work being undertaken by HHS, CMS, CCIIO, OIRA, and your colleagues in other departments to set this statute’s regulatory framework will have significant implications for not only everyday patient access to care, but also the very viability of our nation’s medical profession.

06/28/2021

MUST READ: *Fantastic* letter to Secretaries Becerra, Yellen, and Walsh signed by *97 Members of Congress* and spearheaded by Reps. and . They urge , , and to not only reflect congressional intent in their rulemaking by ensuring a balanced process to settle payment disputes between plans and providers, but also ensure an process that captures the unique circumstances of each billing dispute and does not cause any single piece of information to be the default one considered.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

06/08/2021

Terrific letter from Medical Society of the State of New York President Dr. Joseph Sellers to Secretaries Becerra, Yellen, and Walsh and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Brooks-LaSure offering incredibly important comments on the 's regulatory implementation.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services