Agreement Immediately and Retroactively Restores In-Network Access for Employees Who Lost Coverage Through UnitedHealthcare
Westchester County Government announced an innovative agreement with Montefiore Health System that once again gives 16,000 County employees, retirees, and their families in-network access to all Montefiore facilities despite previously losing in-network coverage through its insurer, UnitedHealthcare (United) on January 1, 2021.
The new deal—a direct agreement between the County and Montefiore— reunites all who receive their health insurance through the County with their doctors and other providers at Montefiore Hospitals.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “The health and wellbeing of the Westchester County workforce is among my top priorities. That is why I am pleased that we were able to reach a unique and unprecedented deal with Montefiore Hospitals and Providers to restore in-network access to all eligible County employees, retirees and their dependents. Under this deal, Montefiore Hospitals and Providers will once again be in-network for eligible County employees, retirees and their dependents who have UMR coverage.”
Philip O. Ozuah, MD, PhD, President and CEO of Montefiore Medicine said: “Our focus is always on serving our patients and local communities. Westchester County has entered into a direct contract with Montefiore to provide immediate and retroactive in-network care to the county’s employees, retirees and their families. In this innovative agreement, the county has committed to the same rates Montefiore proposed to United Healthcare in June and is comparable to our other insurance contracts. This agreement serves as a model for other self-insured employers and makes clear that our proposal to United is fair and equitable. We thank County Executive Latimer for standing with us and putting patients over profits – and we look forward to welcoming back the people who work tirelessly on behalf of Westchester County.”