[September 30, 2014]

Empire BlueCross BlueShield Welcomes the Mount Sinai Health System to Its Exchange Network

The Mount Sinai Health System has agreed to a two-year contract with Empire BlueCross BlueShield to join Empire's Pathway Network and serve Empire members who purchase individual insurance plans off-or-on the New York State of Health marketplace or exchange. This agreement includes a commitment for full participation in Empire's Quality Hospital Incentive Program (QHIP).

The Mount Sinai Medical Center recently combined with Continuum Health Partners to form the Mount Sinai Health System, which includes seven hospitals acclaimed for clinical care excellence and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The Mount Sinai Hospital was named to the U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll in the 2014-15 guidebook, ranking No. 16 out of approximately 5,000 hospitals nationwide and achieving top rankings in 10 specialties. Additionally, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai achieved a No. 10 national ranking for Ophthalmology, and Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, and Mount Sinai Roosevelt attained "high-performing" designations in a total of 11 specialties.

Empire's Pathway Network comprises nearly 49,000 physicians and 83 hospitals that are considered "in-network" for Exchange or Affordable Care Act compliant individual plans. The network has been designed to focus on primary care physicians who are committed to transformng their practices to a patient-centered model of care

"We are pleased that Empire's individual members now have in-network access to the hospitals of the Mount Sinai Health System," says Kenneth L. Davis, MD, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Mount Sinai Health System. "This agreement helps ensure that more New Yorkers can access the care they need, at a premier hospital of their choice."

"Empire BlueCross BlueShield has been serving New Yorkers for 80 years and is the largest insurer in the state for a good reason. We offer the best products on the market today, at competitive prices, and have a total commitment to serving our customers," said Empire's President and CEO, Brian Griffin. "Having Mount Sinai in network for our Individual plans distinguishes us to an even greater extent from our competitors."

To enroll, or to simply to find out more about Empire's robust and cost-effective plans on the New York State of Health Marketplace or Exchange, please log onto www.empireblue.com or call 1-855-809-2884 on or after November 15th, 2014, when open enrollment begins. To learn more about the New York State of Health Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov, or call the Marketplace customer service at 1-855-355-5777.

About Empire BlueCross BlueShield

Serving New Yorkers for 80 years, Empire BlueCross BlueShield is the largest health insurer in New York supporting nearly five million members and more than 38,000 business, union and small employers in New York. Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com. Also, follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin or @empirebcbs, on Facebook (News - Alert) at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinInEmpire, or visit our YouTube (News - Alert) channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin

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