Newton Hospital & Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield split

My Turn By Tom Senker At midnight Sunday, Nov. 23, after six months of negotiations, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey let its contract with Newton Memorial Hospital lapse without agreeing to fair and reasonable contractual terms like other commercial payers. While this is not the result any of us would have preferred, I want to assure you that your continued access to Newton Memorial’s services remains our highest priority. It’s important to remember that emergency services are always covered in full at Newton Memorial, regardless of your insurance. By law, you are not required to pay one penny more for emergency care including both visits to our emergency room or hospital admissions through the emergency room, regardless of your insurance card. The change in Newton Memorial’s relationship with Horizon will mean different things, depending on your healthcare plan. Horizon members who have out-of-network benefits can continue to receive non-emergency care at Newton Memorial Hospital. We will work with you and your family to ensure access to our services as has always occurred in the past. We encourage you to come to Newton Memorial for your healthcare needs and receive care from the doctors and nurses you know and can trust. Unfortunately, Horizon restricts the healthcare choices for HMO patients. Therefore, if you have a Horizon HMO plan, Horizon will not provide coverage for you at Newton Memorial except to receive emergency care. If you are covered under an HMO plan, you should speak with a Horizon representative regarding the restrictions of your plan and for help finding providers in the area who are in-network. This has been a long and difficult process. We have worked diligently to reach an agreement with Horizon that pays us fairly for the care we provide. Unfortunately, Horizon chose to use a “take it or leave it” approach during our negotiations which left us with a final offer that still does not cover the cost of providing care for vital emergency and inpatient services. We cannot and will never accept a contract that puts the future of your hospital at risk. As your community hospital, it is our mission and responsibility to provide exceptional care and service with demonstrated cost efficiency to everyone who walks through our doors, and Horizon has a responsibility to pay us fairly for that care. We’ve done our part. Now, Horizon needs to do its part too. We need your help more now than ever. Horizon still needs to hear from people in our community. You shouldn’t have to settle for more expensive, inconvenient care. You pay too much in premiums to not have access to the hospital of your choice. This is not the health plan Horizon promised you and not the health plan that you deserve. Here’s how you can help: • If you have out-of-network benefits, continue to come to Newton Memorial Hospital. Please call 973.940.8118 and we will be happy to answer any billing questions you may have. • Talk with your doctor and let him or her know you still want to go to Newton Memorial. • Contact Bill Marino, president and CEO of Horizon at 973-466-4000 or William_marino@horizonblue.com. Tell him you want Newton Memorial Hospital in the Horizon network. Don’t let Horizon dictate to you where you receive your health care. We know this has been difficult for members of this community and we appreciate the incredible support which we have received. It has been my pleasure to hear from our patients the many inspirational stories of how your community hospital has always been there for you and has improved the lives of so many. With your continued support, we will continue to provide the same level of exceptional service with or without the help of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your individual coverage or need more information, please call our patient information line at 973-940-8118. Tom Senker, is the president and CEO of Newton Memorial Hospital