Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Montefiore Medical Center Agree to New Three-Year Contract

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Dec 01, 2010, 01:21 ET

NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Montefiore and Empire BlueCross BlueShield have agreed to a new three-year contract, effective January 1, 2011. Within the new agreement, Montefiore will participate in Empire's Quality-In-Sights Hospital Incentive Program (QHIP).

Montefiore and BlueCross BlueShield have also agreed to work collaboratively in developing innovative approaches to delivering care through an Accountable Care Organization ("ACO") arrangement.

Empire members enrolled in commercial HMO, EPO, POS, PPO or indemnity products or Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO products may receive covered services at Montefiore, and from physicians practicing at Montefiore, with the highest level of benefits and lowest out-of-pocket cost.

"Our new agreement ensures that Empire and Montefiore will continue their longstanding relationship working together to ensure high quality, affordable health care services to Empire's membership," said Dr. Steven M. Safyer, Montefiore's President and CEO. "Our commitment to collaborate on the development of an innovative model of care delivery under an ACO arrangement is a unique provider and payor partnership. Together, we can advance the national goals of improving the coordination and management of healthcare so as to improve outcomes and efficiency," Dr. Safyer said.

"This is not just another contract extension for Montefiore and Empire, but a statement about our two organizations taking accountability for both quality and affordability in the Bronx and for all New Yorkers who rely on Montefiore's special services," said Mark Wagar, president and CEO, Empire BlueCross BlueShield. "Healthcare reform will only make a difference if we change how care is managed and how it is paid for in every neighborhood and this new agreement reflects our commitments to find the right way for Montefiore patients and Empire members."

Empire BlueCross BlueShield

Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com.

Montefiore Medical Center encompasses 126 years of outstanding patient care, innovative medical "firsts," pioneering clinical research, dedicated community service and ground-breaking social activism. A full-service, integrated delivery system caring for patients in the New York metropolitan region and beyond, Montefiore is a 1,491-bed medical center that includes: four hospitals -- the Henry and Lucy Moses Division, the Jack D. Weiler Division, the North Division and The Children's Hospital at Montefiore; a large home healthcare agency; the largest school health program in the US; a 22-site medical group practice integrated throughout the Bronx and Westchester; and, a care management organization providing services to 179,000 health plan members. Montefiore has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as among the top 50 hospitals in the country in Geriatrics, Diabetes and Endocrinology, and Neurology and Neurosurgery. The Children's Hospital at Montefiore has been consistently ranked in the magazine's Best Children's Hospitals editions, and in 2010-2011, ranked among the top 10 in the nation in Kidney Disorders and among the top 25 in the nation in Neurology and Neurosurgery. The Leapfrog Group lists Montefiore among the top one percent of all U.S. hospitals based on its strategic investments in sophisticated and integrated healthcare technology. Montefiore is committed to meeting the healthcare needs of the future through medical education and manages one of the largest residency programs in the country. Montefiore is The University Hospital and Academic Medical Center for Albert Einstein College of Medicine and has an affiliation with New York Medical College for residency programs at the North Division. Distinguished centers of excellence at Montefiore include cardiology and cardiac surgery, cancer care, tissue and organ transplantation, children's health, women's health, surgery and the surgical subspecialties. Montefiore is a national leader in the research and treatment of diabetes, headaches, obesity, cough and sleep disorders, geriatrics and geriatric psychiatry, neurology and neurosurgery, adolescent and family medicine, HIV/AIDS and social and environmental medicine, among many other specialties.