Thousands Face Disruption as Mount Sinai and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Contract Dispute Continues

Failure to reach an agreement by the end of 2025 means about 9,000 Mount Sinai physicians are no longer considered in-network for Anthem patients.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Mount Sinai and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield failed to reach a contract agreement by December 31, 2025, which means about 9,000 Mount Sinai physicians are no longer considered in-network. This could force thousands of patients, including those with complex medical conditions, to either pay higher out-of-network costs or find new doctors elsewhere. The dispute has left many patients, like the DeQuevedo family, struggling to navigate the transition and ensure continuity of care.

Why it matters

This contract dispute highlights the challenges patients can face when insurance providers and healthcare systems fail to reach agreements, potentially disrupting access to care. It raises concerns about the impact on vulnerable patients with complex medical needs who have established relationships with their Mount Sinai doctors.

The details

The contract between Mount Sinai and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield expired on December 31, 2025, meaning about 9,000 Mount Sinai physicians are no longer considered in-network for Anthem patients. State law requires Mount Sinai to remain in-network until March 1, 2026, but after that, thousands of patients will be forced to either pay higher out-of-network costs or find new doctors. The renegotiation process began in spring 2025 but hit a roadblock around Thanksgiving, with Anthem withdrawing all offers and proposals.

  • The contract between Mount Sinai and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield expired on December 31, 2025.
  • State law requires Mount Sinai to remain in-network until March 1, 2026.

The players

Mount Sinai Health System

A major healthcare provider in the New York City area, operating several hospitals and medical centers.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

A large health insurance company that provides coverage to millions of people in the United States.

Callum DeQuevedo

A patient who has been receiving complex medical care at Mount Sinai, including a life-altering deep brain stimulation surgery for his Tourette syndrome.

Chad DeQuevedo

Callum's father, who is also a patient at Mount Sinai after a tumor was discovered on his pituitary gland.

Dr. Ted Panov

A neurosurgeon at Mount Sinai who has been treating Callum DeQuevedo's complex case.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The idea that now I have to tell patients we can no longer care for them because this is happening, that's incredibly frustrating.”

— Dr. Ted Panov, Neurosurgeon (CBS News New York)

“The insurance company and the hospital sent out letters. So one of the things says is that if you are a complex case, you can get a continuity of care. But the hoops that they're putting us through are designed to make us fail.”

— Dawn DeQuevedo (CBS News New York)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the disruption patients can face when insurance providers and healthcare systems fail to reach contract agreements, particularly for those with complex medical needs who have established relationships with their doctors. It raises questions about the continuity of care protections and the challenges patients may encounter in navigating the transition to new providers.