Will Your Anthem Medicare Advantage Plan Still Cover VCU Health?

Will your plan still cover VCU Health? Anthem Medicare Advantage networks change January 1, 2027 — I Know Medicare

Key takeaways

✓ On January 1, 2027, VCU Health leaves the network for most Anthem Medicare Advantage plans.

✓ Affected: Anthem Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and C-SNP plans.

✓ Not affected: D-SNP, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), employer/ACA, and Medicaid plans.

✓ Your window to switch is Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, Oct 15 – Dec 7, 2026.

✓ A no-cost plan review can tell you in minutes whether you’re affected.

What Richmond seniors need to know before January 1, 2027.

If you have an Anthem Medicare Advantage plan and you get your care at VCU Health, an important change is coming on January 1, 2027. Here’s what’s happening, who it affects, and what you can do about it.

What Anthem and VCU Health agreed to

On July 9, 2026, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia and VCU Health announced a new multi-year agreement. The good news is that most coverage stays in place. The catch for seniors is that the agreement carves out most Medicare Advantage plans.

Beginning January 1, 2027, VCU Health will be out-of-network for Anthem’s Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and Chronic Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs). VCU remains in-network for those plans only through December 31, 2026. VCU Health’s own participating-plans page confirms it will participate with Anthem “D-SNP plans only” effective January 1, 2027.

Who’s affected — and who isn’t

Losing in-network access to VCU Health on January 1, 2027:

Anthem Medicare Advantage HMO plans
Anthem Medicare Advantage PPO plans
Anthem Chronic Special Needs Plans (C-SNP)

Not affected — VCU Health stays in-network:

Anthem Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNP)
Anthem Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Anthem commercial / employer and ACA marketplace plans
Anthem Medicaid plans

One important note: Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans aren’t network-based. They work with any provider that accepts Original Medicare — including VCU Health — which makes Medigap a natural fallback for many affected seniors who want to keep their VCU doctors.

Why this is happening in Richmond

This isn’t an isolated event. It’s part of a wave of Medicare Advantage network changes across the Richmond area. UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage PPO went out-of-network with VCU Health around the end of 2025, affecting roughly 7,000 patients, and Bon Secours has had its own disputes with Anthem and Humana. Nationally, industry tracker Becker’s Hospital Review counts more than 20 health systems dropping Medicare Advantage plans in 2026. University of Virginia health economist Timothy Layton attributes the trend to reduced federal Medicare Advantage payments, which push insurers to renegotiate provider contracts more aggressively.

What you can do about it

If keeping your VCU Health doctors matters to you and you’re on an affected Anthem plan, you have options. You may be able to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan that keeps VCU in-network, or move to a Medicare Supplement plan that works anywhere Original Medicare is accepted. It’s also a good moment to make sure your Part D drug coverage still fits. If VCU isn’t your provider, you may not need to change anything at all. The right move depends on your doctors, your prescriptions, and your budget — which is exactly what a no-cost plan review is for.

Your timeline

Medicare timeline: review your options now through October 2026, Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7 2026, and the VCU Health network change takes effect January 1, 2027

Key dates for Richmond seniors on Anthem Medicare Advantage plans.

Now – October 2026: Find out if you’re affected and explore your options.
October 15 – December 7, 2026: Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period — your window to switch plans for 2027.
January 1, 2027: The change takes effect. Any new plan you chose during Annual Enrollment begins.

Not sure where your plan stands?

I Know Medicare is a veteran-owned, independent agency — we’re not tied to any single carrier. We’ll check whether your doctors stay in-network and lay out your choices clearly.

Request your no-cost plan review →

Or call 540-440-5936 (TTY 711), or schedule a time.

Frequently asked

Do I have to switch plans? Not necessarily. If you’re on an affected Anthem plan and want to keep VCU in-network, switching during Annual Enrollment lets your new coverage begin January 1, 2027. If VCU isn’t your provider, you may not need to change anything.

Is my D-SNP or Medigap plan affected? No. Anthem D-SNP plans stay in-network with VCU, and Medigap plans work with any provider that accepts Original Medicare, including VCU.

What does it cost to review my options? Nothing. Consultations are no-cost, with no obligation to enroll in anything.

Book your no-cost plan review

Sources

Information current as of August 2026 and subject to change. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to the plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Not affiliated with or endorsed by VCU Health or Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; trademarks used for identification only. This is a solicitation for insurance.

Does Your Anthem Medicare Advantage Plan Still Cover VCU Health?