Anthem Medicare Advantage enrollees in Virginia
If you have an Anthem Medicare Advantage plan and receive care at Sentara facilities, your in-network access may change for 2027.
Virginia & North Carolina — Verified October 5, 2026
Sentara Health and Anthem Medicare Advantage: What Virginia Patients Need to Know
Sentara Health announced on October 5, 2026 that it has ended contract negotiations with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Virginia. If you have an Anthem Medicare Advantage plan, your access to Sentara facilities may change for 2027.
Last verified: October 25, 2026
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Contract Status — As of October 5, 2026
- Health System
- Sentara Health
- Carrier
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Virginia
- Affected Products
- Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and ACA Exchange plans
- Service Area
- Virginia and North Carolina
- Status
- Contract negotiations ended — transition planning underway
- Negotiations Ongoing
- No — Sentara declared negotiations ended
Source: Sentara Health newsroom — October 5, 2026 press release — October 5, 2026
Original Medicare and Medigap policyholders are not affected by this dispute.
What Happened Between Sentara and Anthem
On October 5, 2026, Sentara Health announced that it had ended contract negotiations with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Virginia. According to Sentara, Anthem failed to accept what Sentara described as a fair and reasonable agreement.
Sentara stated it has begun transition planning for affected patients. The dispute covers Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and ACA Exchange plans — not Original Medicare.
Sentara Health operates more than 100 sites of care across Virginia and North Carolina, including major hospitals in the Hampton Roads, Richmond, and Northern Virginia regions, as well as facilities in northeastern North Carolina.
Who Is Affected
Anthem Medicare Advantage enrollees in northeastern North Carolina
Sentara operates facilities in northeastern North Carolina. Anthem Medicare Advantage enrollees in that area may also be affected.
Original Medicare beneficiaries — NOT affected
If you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), this dispute does not affect your access to Sentara facilities. Sentara accepts Original Medicare.
Medigap policyholders — NOT affected
If you have a Medigap plan paired with Original Medicare, this dispute does not affect your coverage. You can continue to receive care at Sentara under Original Medicare.
Concerned About Losing Access to Your Hospital?
Speak directly with William. He is licensed in Virginia and North Carolina and can help you compare Original Medicare with Medigap against your current Anthem Medicare Advantage plan.
Your Options During the Annual Election Period
The Annual Election Period runs October 15 through December 7. Changes take effect January 1, 2027. This is the primary window to review your coverage if you are concerned about this dispute.
Option 1 — Switch to Original Medicare with a Medigap plan: Original Medicare allows you to receive care at any Medicare-participating hospital or physician, including Sentara facilities. A Medigap plan covers most or all of the cost-sharing that Original Medicare does not pay. In most states, you must qualify medically unless you have a guaranteed-issue right.
Option 2 — Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan: Compare plans that include Sentara facilities in their network for 2027. Verify that your specific hospital, primary care physician, and specialists are in-network — not just the health system generally.
Option 3 — Stay with Anthem: If negotiations resume and a contract is reached before January 1, 2027, your access to Sentara may be restored. Monitor official announcements from both Sentara and Anthem.
Does This Create Medigap Guaranteed-Issue Rights?
A hospital-insurer contract dispute does not automatically create Medigap guaranteed-issue rights. Guaranteed-issue rights arise from specific events such as plan termination or plan nonrenewal — not from a network change within a continuing plan.
If Anthem's Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued or exits your county for 2027, that would be a separate event that may create guaranteed-issue rights. A network change within a continuing plan typically does not.
If you are considering switching to a Medigap plan and do not have a guaranteed-issue right, you will need to answer health questions in most states. A pre-existing condition can result in a higher premium or denial of coverage.
Sentara Health Facilities in Virginia and North Carolina
Sentara operates more than 100 sites of care. Major hospital campuses include facilities in the Hampton Roads region (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk), the Richmond area, Northern Virginia, and northeastern North Carolina. Contact Sentara directly to confirm the status of specific facilities.
This list is for general reference. Contact your plan and Sentara directly to confirm current network status for your specific providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Sentara end negotiations with Anthem?
Sentara announced the end of contract negotiations on October 5, 2026. Sentara stated that Anthem failed to accept a fair and reasonable agreement and that transition planning for affected patients has begun.
Which Anthem plans are affected?
According to Sentara's announcement, the dispute covers Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and ACA Exchange plans. Original Medicare is not affected.
Can I still go to a Sentara hospital if I have Anthem Medicare Advantage?
Until a termination date is confirmed, your current coverage terms apply. After any termination date, you may pay out-of-network rates or the plan may not cover non-emergency care at Sentara facilities. Emergency care is always covered at in-network cost-sharing rates under federal law.
Does Original Medicare still work at Sentara?
Yes. This dispute is between Sentara and Anthem as a private insurer. It does not affect Sentara's participation in Original Medicare. If you have Original Medicare, you can continue to receive care at Sentara.
What should I do before December 7?
Review your current coverage and compare your options. If you have an Anthem Medicare Advantage plan and receive care at Sentara, consider whether switching to Original Medicare with a Medigap plan or to a different Medicare Advantage plan that includes Sentara makes sense for your situation. Speaking with a licensed Medicare broker can help you compare options at no cost to you.
Does this affect North Carolina patients?
Sentara operates facilities in northeastern North Carolina. Anthem Medicare Advantage enrollees in that area may also be affected. The same options apply — review your coverage during the Annual Election Period.
Your Independent Medicare Broker
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Concerned About Losing Access to Your Hospital?
Speak directly with William. He is a licensed independent Medicare broker in Virginia and North Carolina and can help you compare your options at no cost to you.