Anthem’s Colorado network changes involve two separate developments: a confirmed change to Pathway Essentials and ongoing HCA HealthONE negotiations affecting Pathway HMO.
Updated October 28, 2026
Pathway Essentials: HCA leaves December 1
Anthem has confirmed that all HCA HealthONE hospitals and doctors will leave its Colorado Pathway Essentials network on December 1, 2026.
Members can continue receiving covered HCA care at their plan’s in-network benefit level through November 30. Beginning December 1, nonemergency care at HCA may involve substantially higher out-of-pocket costs.
This affects care before the end of the current plan year. Selecting a different plan for January won’t resolve a network issue for treatment scheduled in December.
If you’re receiving certain types of ongoing treatment, you may qualify to continue with your current physician temporarily. Contact Anthem before treatment to confirm eligibility, the duration of any continuation, and any required approval.
Emergency care at HCA remains covered according to your policy’s benefits and applicable cost-sharing. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
UCHealth, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and CU Medicine join Pathway Essentials
Beginning December 1, 2026, Pathway Essentials members will have in-network access to UCHealth, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and CU Medicine for primary, specialty, and pediatric care.
Previously, UCHealth access through Anthem required the broader Pathway network rather than Pathway Essentials. This gives people comparing Pathway Essentials for 2027 additional provider options.
Members can begin contacting UCHealth about transitioning care. Confirm the specific doctor, office location, appointment date, and any referral or authorization requirements before receiving services.
Pathway HMO: HCA negotiations are separate
Anthem’s broader Pathway HMO network is a different situation.
In the latest broker information provided to us, Anthem is still negotiating to keep HCA HealthONE in Pathway HMO after its current agreement expires on November 30, 2026. HCA remains in-network through at least that date.
If no agreement is reached, HCA could become out-of-network beginning December 1. That departure has not been confirmed in the Pathway HMO update supplied to us.
Don’t assume that continued negotiations—or a future agreement for Pathway HMO—reverse the separately announced Pathway Essentials change.
Check the exact network before choosing coverage
“Anthem” alone doesn’t identify your provider network. Check whether your plan uses Pathway, Pathway Essentials, or the corresponding Colorado Option Standard network.
| Network | HCA HealthONE status |
|---|---|
| Pathway Essentials | Confirmed departure December 1, 2026 |
| Pathway HMO | Negotiations ongoing; participation beyond November 30 remains unresolved in the latest information provided |
For Colorado Option plans, verify the exact Standard network separately. Anthem notes that Standard and nonstandard networks can have differences.