Announcement from Westchester Medical Center and Empire BlueCross BlueShield

Westchester Medical Center and Empire BlueCross BlueShield announced today that Empire BlueCross BlueShield has reached a tentative multi-year agreement with HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley, which operates the hospitals on Broadway and Mary's Avenue in midtown Kingston.

It is expected that HealthAlliance will rejoin Empire's networks as a participating provider starting September 1, 2017. Covered services provided by the hospitals to Empire members will resume on an in-network basis.

"We are pleased our members will again have in network access to HealthAlliance. This long-term arrangement will continue to provide our members with access to quality health care at a market competitive cost," said Larry Schreiber, president, Empire BlueCross BlueShield. "We believe we have reached the right deal, including initiatives that support our collective efforts to improve quality and outcomes."

"As the leading provider of healthcare in the Hudson Valley, WMCHealth and all of our hospitals and programs are committed to providing the best healthcare as close to home as possible for the children and adults of our region," said Michael D. Israel, President and CEO of WMCHealth. "HealthAlliance is a vital part of the healthcare and economic fabric of Kingston and Ulster County, and we are pleased that together with Empire BlueCross BlueShield we forged an agreement that benefits our patients and improves the future viability of HealthAlliance."