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Press Releases

Wednesday, August 09, 2017

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Armstrong County Memorial Hospital announce agreement on multi-year contract

PITTSBURGH (Aug. 9, 2017) — Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Armstrong County Memorial Hospital (ACMH) today announced a multi-year contract that will ensure Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield members in Armstrong County will continue to have access to the quality care provided by ACMH, as well as lab and imaging services, primary care and OB/GYN physicians, and specialty services such as cardiovascular and stroke care, neuroscience, and surgery.

"We are pleased to reach an agreement and look forward to continuing to serve Highmark members in Armstrong County," said John I. Lewis, President and CEO at ACMH.

In addition, Highmark members will continue to have access to ACMH's Richard G. Laube Cancer Center, physical, occupational and speech therapy services, and behavioral health services.

"Our new agreement with ACMH ensures that we are reimbursing a local, community-based health system fairly, and also maintains comprehensive and affordable access to care for our members and customers in Armstrong County," said Tom Fitzpatrick, senior vice president of Provider Contracting & Relations for Highmark. "As health care costs continue to rise, we need to continue to work with all health care providers to reach mutually acceptable agreements that are in the community's best interests."

Highmark is committed to working with community hospitals to support improvements in health care that will enable them to remain independent and will assure affordable access to quality medical care for its members in community-based settings. In addition, such collaborations with community hospitals boost the economic vitality of the region and preserve stronger, more economically viable communities throughout western Pennsylvania.

ABOUT ACMH HOSPITAL

ACMH Hospital is an exceptional facility with a comprehensive array of services — many of which are unique for a community hospital. Featuring all private rooms and a campus-like setting, ACMH Hospital has been a trusted member of the community since 1898. ACMH is becoming an increasingly advanced community healthcare system — with the likes of new lung cancer diagnostic procedures, esophageal surgeries and concussion care joining their already-top ranked cardiovascular interventional services, and knee and shoulder replacement specialties and primary stroke center. ACMH is becoming synonymous with innovation in community care delivery; and as such, has evolved to become a destination point of care for many throughout the region. For more information, http://www.acmh.org

ABOUT HIGHMARK BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD

Highmark Inc., doing business as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, serves approximately 3.3 million members through the company's health care benefits business and hundreds of thousands of additional members through the Blue card program. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is the market leader in commercial market share, and has strong Medicare Advantage market share as well. Highmark is the largest and highest-rated Medicare Advantage program in Pennsylvania with a CMS rating of 4.5 Stars. In western Pennsylvania, its unaided brand awareness, brand preference and overall brand rating are significantly higher than its closest competitor. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield employs nearly 4,000 people in western, north central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.

For more information, contact:
Leilyn Perri
Highmark Health
717-302-4243
leilyn.perri@highmarkhealth.org