Highmark Health Services And Heritage Valley Health System Reach Agreement On Multi-Year Contract

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Highmark Health Services and Heritage Valley Health System today announced a multi-year contract that will ensure Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield members have access to Heritage Valley Health System locations, including its two hospital campuses, Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley.

"Heritage Valley is pleased that we have reached a fair and equitable agreement with Highmark. The agreement provides Highmark insurance subscribers with continued access to Heritage Valley hospitals, medical neighborhoods, physicians, and other health care services that exist in the communities we serve," said Norm Mitry, president and CEO, Heritage Valley Health System. "We are looking forward to continuing to be a participating provider in all Highmark products as well as the Quality Blue hospital program."

Highmark Health Services will also continue to work collaboratively with Heritage Valley Health System and likely bring them into the patient-centered medical home program in the near future.

"It is important that these independent health systems have a strong working relationship with Highmark Health Services. We are pleased that the new contract with Heritage Valley achieves an important balance, reimbursing the institution to provide necessary care to Highmark Health members, while also recognizing the need to maintain comprehensive and affordable health benefit programs for Highmark Health Services customers," said Michael Fiaschetti, president of Health Markets for Highmark Health Services. "As health care costs continue to rise, we need to continue to work with all health care providers to reach mutually acceptable agreements that are in the community's best interests."

"Highmark is committed to working with community hospitals to support improvements in health care that will enable them to remain independent and will assure affordable access to quality medical care for its members in community-based settings," added Fiaschetti. 

SOURCE Highmark Health Services