Lewiston Mayor Macdonald opposes Anthem plan

LEWISTON— Mayor Robert Macdonald on Monday came out against a plan by Anthem insurance that could take Central Maine Medical Center and more than 300 affiliated physicians off of Anthem’s approved provider list for most individuals.

In a news release issued through City Hall, Macdonald urged residents to attend public hearings on the change and complain to the company.

“This anti-competitive plan is designed to make it more difficult for Anthem patients to seek local medical care and services, will force many to change physicians, and will negatively impact Central Maine Healthcare, one of our region’s largest employers,” Macdonald said in the statement. “This proposal is bad for patients, bad for CMMC and bad for the entire Lewiston-Auburn region.”

Maine’s Bureau of Insurance is conducting public hearings around the state this month on Anthem’s proposal. The local hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. Aug. 29 in Kirk Hall at Central Maine Community College, 1250 Turner St., Auburn.

Anthem made a deal with Portland-based MaineHealth, which owns Maine Medical Center, that excludes CMMC, Rumford Hospital, Bridgton Hospital, Parkview Adventist Medical Center in Brunswick and two others from its network.

In the release, Macdonald said the change could force residents covered by individual or small group Anthem health plans to change doctors and to travel significant distances to receive care.

“It is clearly intended to advance the financial interests of Maine Medical Center and the Portland region to our detriment,” Macdonald said in the statement. “I urge all area residents to speak out against it.”

staylor@sunjournal.com