Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Carilion Clinic Reach New Multi-Year Agreement, Strengthen Commitment to Affordable, Value-Based Care

ROANOKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 7, 2026--

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia and Carilion Clinic announced today that they have reached a new three-year agreement that will maintain access to Carilion physicians and facilities for Anthem members across Western Virginia, strengthening the organizations' collaboration around access, quality, affordability, and better health outcomes.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261007760858/en/

The agreement reflects a shared commitment to ensuring patients, families, employers, and the communities they serve have access to high-quality care while addressing one of the most significant challenges facing families and employers: the rising cost of healthcare.

By more closely aligning incentives around quality, health outcomes, prevention, and care coordination, Anthem and Carilion can work together to improve the patient experience while helping manage the overall cost of care.

“This agreement is great news for our members and the communities,” said Monica Schmude, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia. “We appreciate Carilion’s partnership and commitment to advancing value-based care. Together, we can improve health outcomes, advance affordability, and ensure our members continue to have access to the care they know and trust.”

“Partnerships like this help us maintain access to the high quality care our patients and region count on today, while preparing to meet their health needs for the future,” said Steve Arner, Carilion President and CEO. “This collaboration is also critical to support the physicians, nurses, clinicians, and staff who carry out our mission of improving the health of the communities we serve every day.”

Schmude and Carilion Clinic leaders have partnered in ongoing conversations with leaders from across the region’s business, education, government, and community sectors for candid discussions about the forces driving healthcare costs and opportunities to improve access and quality. Partnership across the healthcare ecosystem remains key to advancing prevention, workforce development, consumer engagement, and whole-person care.

“At the heart of this work is a simple goal: helping people live healthier lives,” said Tony Seupaul, M.D., Chief Physician Executive for Carilion. “That means being there not only when someone is sick, but helping patients stay well through prevention, early intervention, and coordinated care that meets their needs before health concerns become more serious.”

“I want to thank Carilion’s leadership for joining us at the table and engaging so openly in the affordability conversation,” said Schmude. “Their participation reflects the kind of partnership we need—health plans, providers, employers, and community leaders working together to improve health outcomes and make care more affordable for all of us.”

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is available at www.anthem.com. Follow us on X @AnthemBCBS and on LinkedIn.

About Carilion Clinic

Carilion Clinic is a not-for-profit healthcare organization headquartered in Roanoke, Va. A comprehensive network of hospitals, primary and specialty physician practices and other complementary services enable employees to collaborate in providing quality care close to home for nearly 1 million residents of Virginia and surrounding states. With an enduring commitment to the region’s health and wellness, Carilion also advances care through philanthropy, medical education and research, helps the communities it serves stay healthy and inspires the region to grow stronger. For more information, visit CarilionClinic.org.

l to r: Valerie Leach, RVP for Healthcare Networks in VA, Anthem BCBS; Steve Arner, President and CEO, Carilion Clinic; Monica Schmude, President and CEO, Anthem BCBS in VA; Tony Seupaul, M.D., Chief Physician Executive, Carilion Clinic; Michelle Franklin, Chief Nursing Officer, Carilion Clinic.

Spanish star Jon Rahm won't be part of the next version of LIV Golf, dealing a setback to the beleaguered circuit as it tries to emerge from bankruptcy and forge a new path without the financial muscle of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.

John Beck, the attorney Rahm hired for LIV's bankruptcy proceedings, said during a Wednesday hearing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of New Jersey that Rahm reviewed the proposed terms of LIV 2.0 and decided he would not be participating in 2027.

Rahm, a Masters and U.S. Open champion and the last player to be No. 1 in the world before Scottie Scheffler, was among the biggest and most stunning acquisitions by LIV Golf at the end of 2023 when he was the reigning Masters champion.

Rahm had said in May he has several years left on his contract. His signing bonus, never confirmed, was reported to be in the $300 million range.

While the hearing was confirmation he wants out of LIV — he had not answered questions directly most of the summer — the decision was not surprising.

The court earlier this week allowed Sergio Garcia to end his contract when the 46-year-old Spaniard and former Masters champion asked for clarification on his status. Garcia was among the first to defect to LIV in 2022.

Still to come was formal separation from LIV Golf and word on where Rahm would play next. The PGA Tour has said it would not hold conversations with any LIV player still legally under contract. Beck declined to comment when reached by phone.

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp brought back five-time major champion Brooks Koepka with heavy financial stipulations at the start of this year, after Koepka negotiated an end to his LIV contract. Rolapp offered the deal to three other major champions, including Rahm, giving them a two-week deadline to decide. None took the offer.

Two months later, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia said it would no longer bankroll the rival league after the 2026 season.

The PGA Tour did not immediately comment on Rahm’s decision.

Rahm's plans were revealed two days after BC Partners Credit announced an initial investment payment to LIV Golf 2.0, which still requires approval, that would allow the league to move forward with a team-focused theme in which players would be equity owners.

Part of LIV's amended restructuring support agreement extended the deadline for players who decide whether they want to stick around for LIV 2.0.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil had said Monday: "We believe deeply in the future of this league and in the opportunity to build something distinctive alongside our players. We’re delivering on our major milestones, and while there is still work ahead, today marks meaningful progress toward a player-owned, team-focused, truly global league that complements the wider game and creates new opportunities for players, fans, partners and the next generation of golfers.”

Rahm was the individual points champion each of the last three years, when the prize money was $20 million for individual competition and bonuses were awarded for the points race. His total earnings from LIV over the last three years topped $100 million.

Rahm withdrew this week from the Spanish Open because his wife, Kelley, is home in Arizona expecting their fourth child. He remains a European tour member and plans to play in Abu Dhabi and Dubai at the end of the year.

The PGA Tour typically bans players for one year after their last LIV event, though it made an exception for Koepka. Bryson DeChambeau, among those who filed an antitrust lawsuit against the tour when LIV began, has not indicated any desire to return.

Rolapp has consistently said he wants what's best for the PGA Tour, and Rahm is LIV's best player as a former No. 1. He is still at No. 15 despite limited access to world ranking points.

See AP’s full golf coverage here

FILE - Captain Jon Rahm of Legion XIII celebrates after putting on the 18th hole green during the final round of HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong at Hong Kong Golf Club Fanling, Sunday, March 8, 2026 in Hong Kong. (Mike Stobe/LIV Golf via AP, File)

FILE - Captain Jon Rahm of Legion XIII reads his putt during the final round of LIV Golf Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026 in Bedminster, N.J. (Montana Pritchard/LIV Golf, File)