Written By:
Nora Wallace - Marketing and Public Relations Manager

Lompoc Valley Medical Center is currently in active contract negotiations with Anthem Blue Cross, and we want to provide the community with clear information about what that means for our patients. 

As part of the negotiation process, Anthem Blue Cross is required to notify members when a potential contract termination date is within 60 days. Because of that requirement, some Anthem members may receive a letter referencing a potential termination date of Sept. 29, 2026. 

We want to emphasize:  

• No termination has occurred 

• LVMC remains in active negotiations with Anthem Blue Cross 

• Receiving one of these notices does not mean negotiations have ended without resolution; LVMC and Anthem remain actively engaged in working toward an agreement 

Such notifications are a standard part of the contract negotiation process, and LVMC has the ability to extend the timeline if additional time is needed to reach an agreement. 

LVMC is seeking reimbursement rates that are fair and equitable and consistent with those received by other healthcare organizations in our region for comparable services. Our goal is to ensure that our community continues to have access to high-quality healthcare close to home under fair and sustainable terms. 

Neither LVMC nor Anthem Blue Cross wants a contract termination. We remain committed to negotiating in good faith and working toward an agreement that serves our patients, our organization and the Lompoc Valley community. 

The September 29 date referenced in member notices can be extended if additional negotiation time is needed. 

LVMC is committed to reaching a fair resolution and maintaining access to care for our community. 

We understand that receiving a letter like this can cause concern. LVMC will continue to keep our patients and community informed as negotiations progress and will share updates when there is meaningful new information to report.