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Governor Corzine Announces Horizon/Capital Health Dispute Resolved Through Mediation

Press Release

Date: Oct. 8, 2009
Location: Trenton, NJ
Issues: Health and Health Care

Horizon customers will have continued access to Capital Health facilities

Governor Jon S. Corzine announced today that a settlement has been reached that will allow Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield customers to continue to utilize the Capital Health Care Fuld and Mercer Campus hospitals in Trenton.

"I applaud all of the parties for their willingness to sit down and discuss the issues that divided them," Governor Corzine said. "By bringing both parties to the table, the Public Advocate was able to assist the parties in crafting a plan that is in the best interests of Horizon and Capital Health patients."

In August, the Governor asked the Department of the Public Advocate to mediate a dispute between Horizon and Capital Health over a contract for reimbursement of certain medical procedures and other health care needs.

"This is an example of mediation working in the public interest to resolve disputes in a productive and efficient manner," said New Jersey Public Advocate Ronald K. Chen, whose Office of Dispute Settlement mediated the case. "I am very proud of Eric Max and the Office of Dispute Settlement for their tremendous efforts in achieving this result."

The dispute between Horizon and Capital Health arose as the two companies were in the process of working out an agreement to extend Capital Health's participation as an "in-network" provider of medical services in Horizon's health insurance plans. The in-network designation is important for individuals who use Horizon's health insurance because they receive higher rates of reimbursement for selecting an in-network provider.

Under the settlement between the two parties, both of Capital Health hospitals and medical centers located in Trenton, the Fuld Campus (formerly Helene Fuld Medical Center) at 750 Brunswick Avenue and the Mercer Campus (formerly Mercer Medical Center) at 446 Bellevue Avenue will be considered as "in-network" providers for people with Horizon health insurance.


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