Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Hartford Healthcare Corporation Renew Hospital Agreements

NORTH HAVEN, Conn. and HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Hartford Healthcare Corporation announced today they have reached a long-term agreement on the continuation of their participating contracts for Hartford Hospital and Windham Community Memorial Hospital.  As a result, the hospitals will continue as participating hospitals in Anthem's networks without interruption.  Covered services provided by the hospitals to Anthem members will continue on an in-network basis.

Hartford Healthcare and Anthem have been negotiating a new contract that covers the cost of providing care to Anthem members for several months.  The details of the new contract, effective November 1, 2010, were not released.

"We are pleased to have reached agreements with Hartford and Windham hospitals that allow Anthem and the hospitals to continue our valuable relationship," said David R. Fusco, president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. "We know that our members rely on us to balance both access to health care services and costs. This long-term arrangement will continue to provide our members with uninterrupted access to the high quality care at Hartford and Windham hospitals at a market competitive cost."  

 "We believe the new contract is fair, and recognizes and reflects each organization's commitment to this community, the patients we are both privileged to serve, and our collective commitment to quality-driven, efficient and cost-effective care," said Elliot Joseph, president and CEO, Hartford Healthcare Corporation. "The agreements we have forged strengthen our mission to provide the advanced technology, top-level staff and comprehensive services that patients and physicians have come to expect when choosing Hartford and Windham hospitals."

As part of the agreement, Hartford and Windham will continue to participate in Anthem's Quality-In-Sights®: Hospital Incentive Program, a program designed to measure health care quality and to improve patient safety.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.  Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut is available at www.anthem.com.

About Hartford Healthcare

Hartford Healthcare is one of Connecticut's most comprehensive integrated healthcare delivery systems, comprising three acute-care hospitals (Hartford Hospital, Windham and MidState), a mental health and substance abuse network, clinical laboratories, rehabilitation facilities, home care services and primary care practices.   Its tertiary care teaching facility, Hartford Hospital, is an 867-bed regional referral center that provides high-quality care in all clinical disciplines. Among its divisions is The Institute of Living, a 114-bed mental health facility with a national and international reputation of excellence. Jefferson House, a 104-bed long-term care facility, is also a special division of Hartford Hospital. The hospital's major centers of clinical excellence include cardiology, oncology, emergency services and trauma, mental health, women's health, orthopedics, bloodless surgery and advanced organ transplantation. Hartford Hospital owns and operates the state's only air ambulance system, LIFE STAR. 

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield