Newton Memorial Hospital has terminated its hospital contract with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, effective midnight, July 22, 2008.

Under state law and the terms of Horizon BCBSNJ’s contract, Horizon HMO and other Horizon BCBSNJ members may continue to use Newton Memorial Hospital as a participating hospital from July 23, 2008 through November 22, 2008 (prior authorization must be obtained when required). Beginning November 23, 2008, Newton Memorial Hospital will no longer be a Horizon BCBSNJ network hospital.

As always, we are focused on ensuring that our members have access to needed care. Under the terms of our previous agreement, a four-month contract extension applies. Newton Memorial Hospital is required to continue to care for our members from July 23, 2008 through November 22, 2008, on an in-network level. We are working with our large network of hospitals and physicians to minimize the disruption caused by Newton Memorial Hospital’s actions. Please see below for answers to questions you may have about these changes in our network.

How does this change affect members' benefits?
Members have the same basic health plan benefits. Horizon HMO, Horizon Medicare Blue Value and Horizon Medicare Blue Solutions members, however, receive nonemergency hospital coverage only when they use hospitals in the Horizon Hospital Network.

Horizon POS, Horizon Direct Access, Horizon PPO, Horizon Medicare Blue Access and other Horizon BCBSNJ members incur lower out-of-pocket costs and realize maximum coverage benefits by using our Horizon Hospital Network.

What should members do in a medical emergency?
In case of a medical emergency, members should go to the nearest emergency facility, without worrying about network affiliations.

What do members do if they are currently receiving treatment at Newton Memorial Hospital?
If members are receiving treatment at Newton Memorial Hospital, they can continue medically necessary treatment for up to four months past the contract termination date of July 22, 2008. Under the terms of Horizon BCBSNJ’s contract with Newton Memorial Hospital, the contract is extended for four months from July 23, 2008 through November 22, 2008. Therefore, members can receive in-network treatment at Newton Memorial Hospital from July 23, 2008 through November 22, 2008, as long as they obtain prior authorization when required.

How can members find out about other hospitals in the network?
Members have a choice of network hospitals throughout New Jersey. Members may search for hospitals participating in the Horizon Hospital Network by using the Provider Directory Search tool on this Web site.

When does this change take effect?
Newton Memorial Hospital has terminated its hospital contract with Horizon BCBSNJ, effective midnight, July 22, 2008. Under the terms of Horizon BCBSNJ’s contract with Newton Memorial Hospital, the contract is extended for four months for Horizon HMO, Horizon Medicare Blue Value and Horizon Medicare Blue Solutions members, from July 23, 2008 through November 22, 2008. Therefore, members can receive treatment at an in-network level at Newton Memorial Hospital from July 23, 2008 through November 22, 2008, as long as they obtain prior authorization when required.

Under the terms of Horizon BCBSNJ’s hospital contract with Newton Memorial Hospital, the contract is extended for four months for Horizon Medicare Blue Access, Horizon POS, Horizon Direct Access and Horizon PPO members, as well as other Horizon BCBSNJ members, from July 23, 2008, through November 22, 2008. Therefore, these members can receive treatment at Newton Memorial Hospital at an in-network level of benefits from July 23, 2008, through November 22, 2008, as long as they obtain prior authorization when required.

We encourage all members to use network hospitals to maximize their benefits and minimize their out-of-pocket costs.