The agreement will keep the hospital in the health insurer's provider network and will also ensure that CHOP's physician groups and its facilities in New Jersey will remain in Horizon's network.

Last year, Horizon announced its intent to end its relationship with CHOP — effective this March — because of a disagreement over payment rates. The insurer said CHOP’s rates were substantially higher than what it paid pediatric-care providers based in New Jersey

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU AS AN EMPLOYEE?
This agreement is a victory for the children of New Jersey. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has worked with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to preserve treatment for thousands of children who rely on their unique services. The agreement also preserves the system of care CHOP has established throughout New Jersey.

Horizon still has no new deal in place with three University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) Hospitals: the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Presbyterian Medical Center and Pennsylvania Hospital — all in Philadelphia. Those hospitals will be out of Horizon’s provider network in April if a new deal is not reached by then.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?
If you or a family member is currently receiving treatment at CHOP or a UPHS facility for a condition requiring continuous treatment, you can continue treatment as long as you contact Horizon BCBSNJ Member Services at the telephone number listed on the back of your ID cards, and Horizon agrees to authorize the ongoing care at the hospital. In addition, you can always reach out to your BenefitsVIP team for assistance.

To locate other hospitals that are in the network, visit Horizon's Website, www.HorizonBlue.com, and use the Provider Directory search tool.