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Piedmont, Blue Cross finalize deal
Health care provider, insurance giant sign paperwork
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Piedmont Healthcare and insurer Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia have reached a deal to restore coverage for thousands of consumers.

The companies signed the deal Friday night and announced it Monday, nearly a week after Gov. Nathan Deal said the two sides had reached a “handshake agreement” to allow in-network coverage of Piedmont services for Blue Cross cardholders.

A previous deal between the two parties expired March 31, leaving about 500,000 Georgians to face out-of-network bills from most facilities operated by Atlanta-based Piedmont.

The agreement ensures Anthem Blue Cross members may see their Piedmont doctors and visit Piedmont hospitals — including Piedmont Newton Hospital in Covington — as an in-network visit. The deal covers visits and services since April 1.

Piedmont said it would begin calling patients — particularly those who canceled appointments for hospital-based services — who canceled or delayed care since the previous deal expired. However, all are encouraged to call their doctor to reschedule.

“Preserving the relationship between the patient and their preferred health care provider has been our number one goal during this entire negotiation,” Kevin Brown, the Piedmont Healthcare president and CEO, said in a statement.

“We know this has been difficult for our patients, and we are glad to finally have a resolution that restores and protects patient care.”

The new contract between Piedmont and Anthem Blue Cross extends into 2021.

Deal had put pressure on both sides to break their impasse quickly. The state government and Georgia university system had agreed to make up the difference between in-network and out-of-network costs for its employees who used Anthem Blue Cross to access care at Piedmont facilities in April.

Eastside High School announces Top 10 graduates for Class of 2025
eastside top 10

Eastside High School has announced the names of the top ten graduates of the Class of 2025. Leading the way are valedictorian, Ian White, and salutatorian, Malachi Scharf. Each of the top ten graduates have exciting prospects ahead of them as they prepare for life after high school.

Eastside High School’s 2025 Top 10 Graduates are:

• Ian White—The valedictorian, Ian plans to attend college and obtain a doctorate in chemical engineering. He selected Mr. Elijah Clark as his top teacher.

• Malachi Scharf—The salutatorian, Malachi plans to major in chemical engineering at Georgia Tech. He chose Mr. Michael Poor as his favorite teacher.

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Malachi Scharf (left) and Ian White (right) are Eastside High School’s 2025 Salutatorian and Valedictorian. - photo by Courtesy of Newton County School System

• Kaiden Blazina—Kaiden plans to attend Georgia College and State University to study biology with plans to become an anesthesiologist or a missionary. Kaiden selected Mrs. Haley Dawkins as his honored teacher.

• Abby Malcom—Abby will be attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall to major in agribusiness. Her goal is to run a floral business. She selected Ms. Sara Beth Hammond as her top teacher.

• Shelby Moore—Shelby plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to pursue a degree in agricultural education. She selected Ms. Alisa Echols as her top teacher.

• Annalie Parker—Annalie will attend Georgia College & State University with plans to obtain a doctorate and pursue a career in the scientific field. She selected Dr. Catrina Pollard as her favorite teacher.

• Chandler Shurtz—Chandler plans to attend Georgia Tech to study industrial engineering. He selected Mrs. Kelly Elder as his honored teacher.

• Robby Thomas, Jr.—Robby will attend Georgia Tech to study aerospace engineering and astrophysics. His goal is to work for NASA. Robby chose Ms. Kayla Stoddard as his honored teacher.

• Anna Underwood—Anna is attending Georgia State Perimeter to study her core classes with plans to transfer to the University of Georgia. Her career goal is to become an elementary school teacher. She selected Mr. Eric Adams as her top teacher.

• Benjamin Weaver—Benjamin is attending Newberry College to play soccer and study in their pre-vet program before moving on to veterinary school. He selected Mr. Caleb Watson as his honored teacher