California orders Anthem Blue Cross to pay doctors, hospitals for services

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The Anthem Blue Cross headquarters.

California state regulators have ordered Anthem Blue Cross to pay doctors and hospitals for services dating back to 2007, after the insurer failed to address violations revealed by a 2008 state audit.

Department of Managed Health Care spokesman Rodger Butler says it's unclear how much money the medical providers will get, but Anthem has told the regulator that it will need to review 2.6 million claims for accuracy.

In 2008, the DMHC audited the state's seven largest health plans after receiving numerous complaints from medical providers accusing them of making late and inaccurate payments. Blue Cross was also accused of denying claims when it shouldn't have.

In response, the audit said, the health plans were required to submit corrective policies and pay back the providers.

Anthem has 30 days to submit a plan for corrective action to the state.

A call to Anthem seeking comment was not immediately returned.