The North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) has joined a broad coalition of national medical societies in signing a letter urging Elevance Health (Anthem) to rescind its new Facility Administrative Policy: Use of a Nonparticipating Care Provider, set to take effect January 1, 2026, in 11 states.
Under this policy, Anthem will cut hospital reimbursement by 10% whenever an out-of-network physician provides care at an in-network hospital and may even remove hospitals from its network for continued use of nonparticipating physicians.
As outlined in the joint letter, this policy:
- Circumvents the No Surprises Act, which already protects patients from unexpected bills
- Threatens independent physician practices by pressuring them into unfavorable contracts
- Reduces patient access, especially in rural and underserved areas that rely on a mix of participating and nonparticipating specialists
For neuromodulation providers, the policy could disrupt care coordination, limit procedural access, and undermine practice autonomy.
NANS remains committed to advocating for fair contracting, sustainable practice environments, and patient access to high-quality neuromodulation care.