03/20/2007

Update for People Covered
by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield

With great reluctance, Jersey City Medical Center cancelled Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield’s provider contract March 9, 2007 because their rates fall far below the cost of providing care.

People covered by Horizon insurance should continue to come to Jersey City Medical Center to receive quality care for covered services. However, after July 8, 2007, the end of a four-month transition period required by state law, the insurer may choose not to reimburse patients who use the medical center. Before that deadline, nothing will change.

This is not a step Jersey City Medical Center takes lightly and we apologize in advance to anyone affected by this change. Jersey City Medical Center has initiated many attempts to negotiate fair terms and Horizon has ignored them all.

Jersey City Medical Center will not agree to a contract with an insurer that will lose money for the hospital while enriching the insurer. It would not be fair to the hospital or to the people of Hudson County. We want a fair contract with Horizon, but our first priority is to provide the quality care that every patient deserves and expects from us.

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