CROWN POINT -- The Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc. is set to end its contract with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Nov. 2, the company said in a prepared statement Tuesday.

The reasons for terminating the contract were "lack of accurate and timely claims payment and the inability to secure contract terms comparable to other hospitals in the area," a prepared hospital statement indicated.

A spokesman with the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield corporate office in Indianapolis did not immediately return a request for comment Tuesday.

Sisters of St. Francis Health Services said it hopes to work out a new agreement with Anthem, but if that doesn't happen, it will try to continue to work with Anthem patients and employers to limit the impact a contract dispute might cause.

Northwest Indiana hospitals affected by the termination include St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point, St. Anthony Memorial in Michigan City, St. Margaret Mercy campuses in Hammond and Dyer and Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster.