Thousands of New Yorkers Lose In-Network Care in Mount Sinai-Anthem Dispute

Failed contract negotiations leave patients scrambling for new providers as dispute continues

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Negotiations between Mount Sinai Health System and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield have broken down, resulting in thousands of patients in New York losing in-network access to Mount Sinai's 9,000 physicians. The two sides have been unable to agree on contract terms, with Anthem accusing Mount Sinai of demanding excessive price increases and Mount Sinai claiming Anthem is refusing to commit to patient protection provisions.

Why it matters

This contract dispute leaves many patients in the lurch, forcing them to either pay higher out-of-network costs to continue seeing their Mount Sinai providers or find new in-network doctors, potentially disrupting ongoing care. It also highlights the broader tensions between healthcare providers and insurers over reimbursement rates and patient protections.

The details

The contract between Mount Sinai and Anthem expired on December 31, 2025, but a temporary extension kept patients in-network until March 1, 2026. After failing to reach a new agreement, about 200,000 Anthem patients lost in-network access to Mount Sinai's 9,000 physicians. Both sides have accused the other of being unwilling to compromise, with Anthem claiming Mount Sinai demanded excessive price increases and Mount Sinai saying Anthem refused to commit to patient protection provisions.

  • The contract between Mount Sinai and Anthem expired on December 31, 2025.
  • A temporary extension kept patients in-network until March 1, 2026.
  • On March 1, 2026, about 200,000 Anthem patients lost in-network access to Mount Sinai's 9,000 physicians.

The players

Mount Sinai Health System

A major healthcare provider in New York with over 9,000 affiliated physicians.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

A large health insurance company that provides coverage to about 200,000 patients in New York.

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What they’re saying

“We cannot agree to changes that would drastically increase costs for New Yorkers. We remain willing to reach a responsible agreement and will continue to work with Mt. Sinai to return them to our network. In the meantime, our network includes every other major health system in New York City, and we are focused on helping our members get the care they need during this transition.”

— Anthem officials (cbsnews.com)

“Over the past several months, Mount Sinai engaged in repeated, good-faith efforts to reach a responsible agreement that would restore in-network access to our patients. Over the last month, we made meaningful progress. After narrowing economic differences, Anthem refused to commit to contract provisions designed to protect patients from excessive denials, delayed determinations, and prolonged administrative disputes. Mount Sinai cannot accept terms that undermine patient care or destabilize our system.”

— Mount Sinai officials (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The two sides have agreed to continue negotiating in an effort to reach a new contract and restore in-network access for Anthem patients at Mount Sinai facilities.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between healthcare providers and insurers over reimbursement rates and patient protections, with patients often caught in the middle. It underscores the need for greater transparency and collaboration to ensure continuity of care for patients, even as the two sides negotiate complex contract terms.