Catholic Health, Catholic Medical Partners, Highmark BCBSWNY Reach Long-Term Agreement
Catholic Health and Catholic Medical Partners have reached a new long-term agreement with Highmark BCBSWNY, ensuring Highmark members will have continued access to care at Catholic Health hospitals and our comprehensive network of services.
As the quality and patient safety leader in Western New York, it’s great news that Highmark BCBSWNY members can continue to receive in-network care at Catholic Health. We want to thank Highmark for recognizing the important role we play in the lives of families across the region and for reinvesting in the health and wellness of our community.
While the details will be finalized in the coming weeks, the long-term agreement will benefit the Western New York community by supporting Catholic Health programs, services, and caregivers, and creating joint value-based objectives for the health plan and hospital system to improve health outcomes and manage rising health care costs.
“For over 80 years, Highmark BCBSWNY has offered Western New Yorkers access to the broadest network of high-quality health care providers,” said Dr. Michael Edbauer, President, Highmark BCBSWNY. “We understand the value Catholic Health delivers to our community and that’s why we’re pleased to reach a long-term agreement to keep their hospitals in our network.”
As one of the largest health systems in Western New York, we serve thousands of patients across our network of hospitals, subacute care facilities, primary care centers, home care agencies, and diagnostic & treatment centers.
As the region’s largest independent practice association, Catholic Medical Partners joins with Catholic Health to transform care across the region. “This agreement with Highmark will support the important work our physicians do to address preventative care, chronic disease management, and social determinants of health for their patients,” said Margaret Paroski, MD, MMM, President & CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Catholic Medical Partners.
Our facilities have received the Blue Distinction Center+ designations by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) for the following:
- Sisters of Charity Hospital for Bariatric Surgery
- Mercy Hospital of Buffalo for Cardiac Care
- Kenmore Mercy Hospital and Sisters of Charity Hospital for Spine Surgery
These designations are given by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) to only a select number of hospitals and health systems across the country based on quality and cost criteria. In addition, we are also designated by BCBSA as Blue Distinction Centers for the following:
- Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Sisters of Charity Hospital, and Sisters of Charity Hospital – St Joseph Campus for Knee and Hip Replacement
- Mercy Hospital of Buffalo for Maternity Care
Highmark BCBSWNY Medicare Advantage members, who chose to leave during the annual enrollment period, can rejoin the plan during Medicare’s open enrollment period, which runs from the start of January through the end of March.
