Skip to main content
Highmark Western New York  logo

New Long-Term Agreement Reached

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, Catholic Health, and Catholic Medical Partners have announced a new long-term contract agreement.

Highmark BCBSWNY members will continue to receive in-network care at CHS hospitals and other facilities, such as skilled nursing facilities and ambulatory surgery centers. This also includes all specialists practicing at these facilities. Our members’ coverage at these facilities will remain uninterrupted.

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. We appreciate your patience as we worked through these negotiations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does this mean?

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, Catholic Health, and Catholic Medical Partners have announced a new long-term contract agreement.

We have spent the past several months negotiating with Catholic Health to ensure we came up with an agreement that is acceptable to Catholic Health and fair to the members and employers we serve.

What is happening?

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York members will continue to receive in-network care at Catholic Health hospitals and other facilities, such as skilled nursing facilities and ambulatory surgery centers. This also includes all specialists practicing at these facilities. Your coverage at these facilities will remain uninterrupted.

What are the terms of the agreement?

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.

What if I disenrolled, can I come back to Highmark?

If you are a Medicare Advantage member who chose to leave Highmark during the Annual Enrollment Period, you can rejoin during the Medicare Open Enrollment period, running from January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023. This allows you the opportunity to make a one-time plan change. Visit medicare.highmark.com and click “shop” or call 1-877-336-0799 (TTY 711) to speak with a Medicare Advisor.