HAHV EmpBCBS

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May 12, 2016

Dear Patient,

HealthAlliance is working hard to ensure that high-quality healthcare is provided directly in our

communities. A vision for expanded care and financial strength is why we chose to partner with

the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth). This includes being part of a

larger network umbrella.

As you might have heard, ALL other Westchester Medical Center Health Network hospitals,

including nearby MidHudson Regional Hospital, are in-network with Empire Blue Cross Blue

Shield (Empire) (this information was omitted in Empire’s communications to its members).

Unfortunately, Empire is refusing to honor previously agreed upon terms for

HealthAlliance. We are vigorously pursuing a legal remedy to ensure we are fairly compensated

for the quality care that our talented staff provides. If we are unable to resolve this, Empire has

notified us that they will consider HealthAlliance facilities out-of-network beginning June 1,

2016.

There are many things that we are doing to ensure that our patients have access to the fine

care and services they are used to and deserve, including access protected by law to

HealthAlliance facilities, as well as other high-quality Westchester Medical Center Health

Network Hospitals and even the Kingston Ambulatory Surgery Center (845-338-4777).

Here is what you should know:

Empire must cover all emergency cases at all HealthAlliance facilities.

Patients currently undergoing treatment and care (for example pregnant women,

including post-partum care, or recurring services for treatment of chronic conditions or

diseases), will continue to be covered for care at HealthAlliance facilities.

All services that have been previously pre-authorized must be covered by Empire.

Patients/members will not be required to bill Empire directly.

Patients/members will not be required to file claims with Empire.

We will not transfer patients out of HealthAlliance facilities after stabilization; they

will continue to receive care at HealthAlliance.

Should you be in need of non-emergent care at one of our facilities, please know that we are

currently working with area physicians to ensure that they have the information and support they

need in order to facilitate care and coverage for their patients at a HealthAlliance or comparable,

high-quality facility that we have confidence in.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this might cause, but we are here to help. If you have

questions about coverage, care and services, please call us at 800-613-6617 so that we can be of

assistance to you while we continue to pursue a fair and equitable arrangement with Empire.

Sincerely,

David Scarpino

Chief Executive Officer

HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley

A Member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network

We’re here to help 24/7, please call us at 800-613-6617

Westchester Medical Center Health Network

Westchester Medical Center

Behavioral Health Center

Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital

100 Woods Road

Valhalla, NY 10595

Bon Secours Community Hospital

St. Joseph's Place

160 E Main Street

Port Jervis, NY 12771

Good Samaritan Hospital

255 Lafayette Avenue

Suffern, NY 10901

HealthAlliance:

Broadway Campus

396 Broadway

Kingston, NY 12401

HealthAlliance:

Mary’s Avenue Campus

105 Mary’s Avenue

Kingston, NY 12401

Margaretville Hospital

Mountainside Residential

Care Center

42084 State Highway 28

Margaretville, NY 12455

MidHudson Regional Hospital

241 North Road

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

St. Anthony Community

Hospital

15 Maple Avenue

Warwick, NY 10990

HealthAlliance Hospitals are In-Network for Medicare Patients

with Supplemental Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance

May 16, 2016

Dear Patient,

Should you be in need of any care at one of our HealthAlliance facilities, please know that as a

Medicare member with Empire as your supplemental insurance, you remain covered at

HealthAlliance.





As you might have heard, ALL other Westchester Medical Center Health Network hospitals,

including nearby MidHudson Regional Hospital, are in-network with Empire Blue Cross Blue

Shield (Empire) (this information was omitted in Empire’s communications to its members).

Unfortunately, Empire is refusing to honor previously agreed upon terms for

HealthAlliance. We are vigorously pursuing a legal remedy to ensure we are fairly compensated

for the quality care that our talented staff provides. If we are unable to resolve this, Empire has

notified us that they will consider HealthAlliance facilities out-of-network beginning June 1,

2016.

There are many things that we are doing to ensure that our patients have access to the fine




If you have Medicare as your primary insurance and Empire as your supplemental

insurance, here is what you should know:

Patients will continue to be covered for ALL care, emergent and non-emergent, at

HealthAlliance facilities.



Empire may send payments for HealthAlliance claims directly to Patients; Patients

can bring these payments to the registration desk of any HealthAlliance facility or mail

them to: HealthAlliance Billing Department 741 Grant Avenue, Lake Katrine NY 12449

Should you be in need of non-emergent care at one of our facilities, please know that we are

currently working with area physicians to ensure that they have the information and support they

need in order to facilitate care and coverage for their patients at a HealthAlliance or comparable,

high-quality facility that we have confidence in.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this might cause, but we are here to help. If you have

questions about coverage, care and services, please call us at 800-613-6617 so that we can be of

assistance to you while we continue to pursue a fair and equitable arrangement with Empire.

Sincerely,

David Scarpino

Chief Executive Officer

HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley

A Member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network


Westchester Medical Center Health Network




100 Woods Road

Valhalla, NY 10595


St. Joseph's Place

160 E Main Street




Suffern, NY 10901

HealthAlliance:

Broadway Campus

396 Broadway

Kingston, NY 12401

HealthAlliance:


105 Mary’s Avenue

Kingston, NY 12401



Care Center




241 North Road



Hospital

15 Maple Avenue

Warwick, NY 10990

The Facts about HealthAlliance and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield





Q. Why is Empire going out-of-network with HealthAlliance?

A. Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (Empire) is refusing to honor previously agreed upon terms

relating to HealthAlliance. ALL other Westchester Medical Center Health Network hospitals,

including nearby MidHudson Regional Hospital, are in-network with Empire (Please be aware

that this information was omitted in Empire’s communications to its members and physicians).

Q. What is HealthAlliance doing about this?

A. We are vigorously pursuing a legal remedy to secure a contract and ensure we are fairly

compensated for the quality care that our talented staff provides. If we are unable to resolve

this, Empire has notified us that they will consider the HealthAlliance facilities out-of-network

beginning June 1, 2016.

Q. HealthAlliance is a member of WMCHealth Network. Can WMCHealth help ?

A. Yes. ALL other Westchester Medical Center Health Network hospitals, including nearby

MidHudson Regional Hospital, are in-network with Empire (this information was omitted in

Empire’s communications to its members and physicians). Unfortunately, Empire is refusing to

honor previously agreed upon terms relating to HealthAlliance and now we are vigorously

pursuing a legal remedy to secure a contract and ensure we are fairly compensated for the

quality care that our talented staff provides.

Q. What happens if Empire considers HealthAlliance facilities out of network?

A. There are many things that we are doing to ensure that our patients have access to the fine




Q. What if I need emergency care?

A. Empire must cover all emergency care provided at all HealthAlliance facilities.

Q. What if I am currently being cared for by HealthAlliance?

A. Patients currently undergoing treatment and care (for example pregnant women, including

post-partum care, or recurring services for treatment of chronic conditions or diseases), will

continue to be covered for care at HealthAlliance facilities. All services that have been

previously pre-authorized must be covered by Empire.

Q. Empire said that I might be required to bill Empire directly.

A. This is not correct. HealthAlliance patients/members will not be required to bill Empire

directly.

Q. Empire said that I might be required to file claims with Empire.

A. This is not correct. Patients/members will not be required to file claims with Empire.

Q. Empire said that you might transfer patients out of HealthAlliance facilities.

A. This is not correct. We will not transfer patients out of HealthAlliance facilities after

stabilization; they will continue to receive care at HealthAlliance.

Q. What if I or my doctor has a question about services at HealthAlliance?

A. We are available 24/7 to assist you. Please call us any time at 800-613-6617.

Q. Do I have other options for high-quality care?

A. Yes. All Westchester Medical Center Health Network hospitals are currently in-network with

Empire, including nearby MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie (this information was

omitted in Empire’s communications to its members).

Special additional information for our patients who have Medicare as their primary

insurance and Empire as their supplemental insurance:

Should you be in need of any care at one of our facilities, please know that as Medicare

members with Empire as your supplemental insurance you remain covered at

HealthAlliance.

Patients who have Medicare as their primary insurance and Empire as their

supplemental insurance will continue to be covered for ALL care, emergent and non-

emergent, at all HealthAlliance facilities.



Empire may send payments for HealthAlliance claims directly to patients who have

Medicare as their primary insurance and Empire as their supplemental insurance.

Patients can bring these payments to the registration desk of any HealthAlliance facility

or mail them to: HealthAlliance Billing Department 741 Grant Avenue, Lake Katrine NY

12449.


Westchester Medical Center Health Network (wmchealth.org)




100 Woods Road

Valhalla, NY 10595


St. Joseph's Place

160 E Main Street




Suffern, NY 10901

HealthAlliance:

Broadway Campus

396 Broadway

Kingston, NY 12401

HealthAlliance:


105 Mary’s Avenue

Kingston, NY 12401



Care Center




241 North Road



Hospital

15 Maple Avenue

Warwick, NY 10990

HAHV EmpBCBS

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