Anthem

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield came under scrutiny for planning to put time limits on anesthesia care in Missouri, Connecticut and New York. The original move, which would have started next year, alarmed doctors and policymakers.

The two companies announced early Wednesday that they had resolved contract disputes that began earlier this year.

Anthem officials claim Mercy is asking the insurer to pay too much money to cover procedures. Mercy officials said Anthem is putting too many administrative barriers in its contract. If the two sides cannot reach an agreement by the end of the year, Anthem patients won't be able to receive in-network rates at Mercy locations.

The health insurance company Elevance, known as Anthem in Missouri, is hiring 250 new employees to work at its downtown St. Louis office. City leaders celebrated the news, which comes as other high-profile tenants are leaving the city's core.