KINGSTON – Ulster County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach Thursday called
on both sides in the dispute over health insurance coverage for thousands
who have Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield and seek medical attention at HealthAlliance
of the Hudson Valley hospitals in Kingston come to a “prompt resolution
to the contract dispute.”
The insurance company placed the hospitals out-of-network when their current
contract expired, meaning Blue Cross Blue Shield will not accept insurance
claims for non-emergencies presented at the hospital.
‘Requiring Ulster County residents to drive upwards of an hour to
Dutchess County or Albany for quality health care, pay greater out-of-pocket
costs, or – even worse – forego treatment is unconscionable,
plain and simple,” Auerbach said. His message to the parties as
they continue negotiations is: “put patients ahead of profits, and
do it now.”
Assemblyman Kevin Cahill and Senator George Amedore have sponsored a state
proposal that would extend the expired agreement for an extra 90 days
while Empire and HealthAlliance negotiate with a third-party mediator.
The bill has already passed the Assembly Insurance and Codes Committees,
and is expected to make its way to the floor for a vote before the end
of the legislative session.
Last week, County Executive Michael Hein called for a 90-day cooling off
period to give both parties time to sit down and work out a resolution.
