Recently we informed you that Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey had issued notices of termination of its contracts with CHOP, which includes the hospital in Philadelphia and the specialty care centers in New Jersey, and the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS), which includes Pennsylvania Hospital, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. This is effective as of March 11, 2009.

Please be advised that the terminations of CHOP and UPHS from the Horizon Hospital Network impact member’s differently, depending on your specific Horizon BCBSNJ health plan. If you or your family members have specific questions they can contact their BenefitsVIP team for more information or call the phone number found on your Horizon identification card. Those that have a Horizon BlueCard, the ID card has the letters PPO in a suitcase symbol, can still use Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania Health System on an
in-network basis. The CHOP specialty centers in New Jersey are not accessible through the BlueCard program. Again, please call your BenefitsVIP representative or the number on your identification card with any questions.

Also, please note the important information about CHOP terminating its physicians from the Horizon BDBSNJ professional network. Horizon BCBSNJ received a letter from CHOP terminating its physicians from the Horizon BCBSNJ network. This will be effective on September 17, 2009. At this time, it is not necessary for members to choose a new physician. Horizon BDBSNJ will facilitate a transition plan to a new PCP as they get close to the termination date of September 17, 2009.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU AS AN EMPLOYEE?
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.

In any event, we will, as always, be reviewing before open enrollment every alternative out there for you. We are aware that your health insurance is an important benefit to you and your family and that the cost of this is meaningful.  We will continue to make sure that we explore every possibility to control your costs and protect your family.