Stellaris Health Network and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield Announce Contract Agreement Effective 1/1/07
December 30, 2006
Stellaris Health Network hospitals announced today that they have reached an agreement on a provider contract, effective January 1, 2007. Under the agreement, Empire members will continue to have uninterrupted access to Stellaris Health Network hospitals as in-network providers.
The Stellaris Network consisting of Lawrence Hospital Center (Bronxville), Northern Westchester Hospital (Mount Kisco), Phelps Memorial Hospital Center (Sleepy Hollow), and White Plains Hospital Center (White Plains) want to thank you and the community for your patience during the recent contract negotiations with Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield. We understand full well the potential disruption and anxiety faced by our patients and physicians during this difficult time.
Your local Hospitals are a precious community resource which must be preserved. Unfortunately many community hospitals are faced with similar situations. Everyone has seen the report from the Berger Commission recommending closures and service restructuring right here in Westchester. The Commission determined that the Stellaris hospitals are vital to the local communities we serve and an integral part of the healthcare infrastructure of Westchester County.
The Stellaris Hospitals need sufficient resources to be vibrant evolving institutions and remain the premier providers in Westchester. To better serve you, the Hospitals have implemented advanced clinical systems consistent with best practices described by the Institute of Medicine, developed recognized Centers of Excellence for complex clinical services, and are expanding and redesigning their Emergency Departments. We take our community and charitable missions very seriously and will continue to do what needs to be done to remain your local community Hospitals of choice.
We are pleased that the successful outcome is one which is in the best interest
of all concerned. We thank you for your continued support and recognition of
the value of Stellaris Hospitals to the citizens of Westchester that we take
pride in serving.