Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Penn Highlands DuBois announce agreement on multi-year contract

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Nov. 8, 2017) — Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Penn Highlands DuBois announced a multi-year contract extension that will ensure Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield members in Clearfield, Jefferson and surrounding counties continue to have access to the quality care provided by Penn Highlands DuBois, including emergency, lab and imaging services, as well as pediatric, women's health, behavioral health and surgical services.

"We are pleased to reach an extension with Highmark. Many patients are members in Clearfield and Jefferson counties and surrounding areas," John Sutika, president of Penn Highlands DuBois, said.

In addition, Highmark members will continue to have access to the Heart Center and Lung Center at Penn Highlands DuBois, cancer treatment at the Hahne Regional Cancer Center and the Yingling Cancer Center and the QCare walk-in clinics for convenient care.

"This contract extension with Penn Highlands DuBois ensures affordable access to quality care for our members and customers in Clearfield and Jefferson counties," 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 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.