Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Carilion Clinic Reach New Multi-Year Agreement, Strengthen Commitment to Affordable, Value-Based Care

Agreement maintains access for Anthem members and advances shared focus on quality, affordability, and better health outcomes

ROANOKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia and Carilion Clinic announced today that they have reached a new three-year agreement that will maintain access to Carilion physicians and facilities for Anthem members across Western Virginia, strengthening the organizations' collaboration around access, quality, affordability, and better health outcomes.

The agreement reflects a shared commitment to ensuring patients, families, employers, and the communities they serve have access to high-quality care while addressing one of the most significant challenges facing families and employers: the rising cost of healthcare.

By more closely aligning incentives around quality, health outcomes, prevention, and care coordination, Anthem and Carilion can work together to improve the patient experience while helping manage the overall cost of care.

“This agreement is great news for our members and the communities,” said Monica Schmude, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia. “We appreciate Carilion’s partnership and commitment to advancing value-based care. Together, we can improve health outcomes, advance affordability, and ensure our members continue to have access to the care they know and trust.”

“Partnerships like this help us maintain access to the high quality care our patients and region count on today, while preparing to meet their health needs for the future,” said Steve Arner, Carilion President and CEO. “This collaboration is also critical to support the physicians, nurses, clinicians, and staff who carry out our mission of improving the health of the communities we serve every day.”

Schmude and Carilion Clinic leaders have partnered in ongoing conversations with leaders from across the region’s business, education, government, and community sectors for candid discussions about the forces driving healthcare costs and opportunities to improve access and quality. Partnership across the healthcare ecosystem remains key to advancing prevention, workforce development, consumer engagement, and whole-person care.

“At the heart of this work is a simple goal: helping people live healthier lives,” said Tony Seupaul, M.D., Chief Physician Executive for Carilion. “That means being there not only when someone is sick, but helping patients stay well through prevention, early intervention, and coordinated care that meets their needs before health concerns become more serious.”

“I want to thank Carilion’s leadership for joining us at the table and engaging so openly in the affordability conversation,” said Schmude. “Their participation reflects the kind of partnership we need—health plans, providers, employers, and community leaders working together to improve health outcomes and make care more affordable for all of us.”

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is available at www.anthem.com. Follow us on X @AnthemBCBS and on LinkedIn.

About Carilion Clinic

Carilion Clinic is a not-for-profit healthcare organization headquartered in Roanoke, Va. A comprehensive network of hospitals, primary and specialty physician practices and other complementary services enable employees to collaborate in providing quality care close to home for nearly 1 million residents of Virginia and surrounding states. With an enduring commitment to the region’s health and wellness, Carilion also advances care through philanthropy, medical education and research, helps the communities it serves stay healthy and inspires the region to grow stronger. For more information, visit CarilionClinic.org.