UPDATE: East End Health Alliance Negotiations 

October 12, 2009 – Despite Empires best efforts, repeated compromises and offers of fair reimbursement, the East End Health Alliance (EEHA) group of three hospitals on Long Island continue to demand rate increases of 50 percent and more in just one year. This kind of increase is unnecessary and would result in an immediate jump in healthcare costs to those living on Eastern Long Island.  

Empire is concerned, as I am sure you all are, about the continued increases in both health insurance and health care costs on Long Island and in the communities who must use Southampton Hospital, Peconic Bay Medical Center and Eastern Long Island Hospital for some services.  

We want to assure you that Empire has done everything possible to reach an agreement with EEHA in a manner that would balance the system’s unique needs against the needs of Empire members, employers, and unions for access to high quality and affordable health care services.  

We are committed to partnering with hospitals in our community to provide quality, affordable, accessible health care services to the members in our plans. We have been able to do so with hospitals and hospital systems throughout New York, including all the other hospitals on Long Island.  

Empire BlueCross BlueShield remains willing to agree to a new, multi-year contract with substantial increases for EEHA hospitals, despite the difficult economy we all face. But there is a point where reason, and the hospitals obligation to manage their operations more effectively, must become a priority. The cost of health care is everyone’s responsibility, including EEHA hospitals.  

We will continue to update you as new information develops. Please read the attached FACT SHEET and FAQ for more information about theses negotiations with EEHA, as well as the list of alternative facilities for care in the area.  

Empire members on Long Island who have questions about their benefits or options they have can call 800-495-9323. 

 

UPDATE: Empire and East End Hospital Alliance Reach Agreement for MediBlue Members  

New York, August 26, 2009 – East End Health Alliance on Long Island and Empire BlueCross BlueShield announced today that they have reached agreement for MediBlue members of Empire BlueCross BlueShield. Details are being finalized, but the multi-year agreement will assure seniors with Empire Medicare Advantage “Mediblue” HMO and PPO products can continue accessing services at the three East End Health Alliance Hospitals as “in-network.”  

“We are pleased to have settled this important component of the Empire contract,” said Mr. Paul Connor, president and CEO of Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport. “It is important for our seniors in the East End with Empire plans be assured they are covered.” 

“We are pleased to reach this agreement with the Alliance as a result of continuing negotiations,” noted Mark Wagar, president and CEO, Empire BlueCross BlueShield. “We are pleased that we reached an agreement that will ensure our senior members have convenient access to their community hospital.”  

For all other Empire plan members, all Emergency care remains covered as In-Network. Some Empire members may be eligible to continue to receive routine, non-emergency services with full in-network benefits at these facilities if there is not an alternate facility within 30 miles of their residence. Members should contact their benefit administrator or Empire at 800-495-9323. 

Members with questions about their plan or coverage can contact their specific member service representative at the number on their ID card. General information can be found at www.empireblue.com.  

 

August 6, 2009 – Negotiations between Empire BlueCross BlueShield and the East End Health Alliance (EEHA) have been ongoing for several months. EEHA is comprised of Eastern Long Island Hospital, Peconic Bay Medical Center and Southampton Hospital.  

Unfortunately, the parties were unable to reach agreement on a new contract prior to the expiration of the existing contract on August 1, 2009. With Empire's encouragement, however, the New York Superintendent of Insurance has requested that both parties come back to the table to resume negotiations in order to reach an accord. In the meantime, until such time as we reach agreement, the EEHA facilities remain nonparticipating in Empire’s network.  

In order to make this transition as easy as possible for our members, we have included a list of alternative participating facilities as well as a list of frequently asked questions.  

Empire members with specific questions may call the phone number printed on their membership card, or our dedicated hospital network line at 800-495-9323. There is a complete listing of all participating network providers at www.empireblue.com.  

Members of the media can contact Craig Andrews, Public Relations Director, at 212-476-7007 or via email at craig.andrews@empireblue.com.