Anthem BCBS acquires Ohio Medicaid contract from Paramount Advantage

NICK MORAN / February 15th, 2022

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Ohio closed its acquisition of a state Medicaid contract from Paramount Advantage Feb. 15. 

The contract means that Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Ohio would serve 257,000 new Medicaid beneficiaries. 

"We're pleased to complete the transaction with Paramount Advantage as we work to serve more Medicaid individuals with personalized, high-quality healthcare they've come to know and trust," said Greg LaManna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's Ohio Medicaid plan president. "We look forward to continuing our path of furthering Ohio's next generation of managed care as we advance health for our communities and our members."

The move comes before the July 1 revamp of the state's Medicaid program. Anthem also has a contract with the state to serve beneficiaries after the transition date. 

Paramount Advantage previously said that if Anthem could purchase its Ohio Medicaid contract, it would stop appealing the state's recent $22 billion Medicaid contract. The payer has continued to drag the state to court over the bidding process.