Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey And the University of Pennsylvania Health System Reach Long-Term Rate Agreement
(Newark, April 8, 2009) - Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System announced today they had reached a long-term rate agreement that will keep the facility in the Horizon BCBSNJ hospital network.

"This successful negotiation demonstrates Horizon BCBSNJ’s commitment to working with its network hospitals to provide our 3.6 million members access to affordable, quality health care," said Christy Bell, Senior Vice President of Healthcare Management, Horizon BCBSNJ. "On behalf of 40,000 Penn Medicine patients who are covered by Horizon BCBSNJ, we are pleased that we were able to reach a satisfactory agreement," said Patrick J. Brennan, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. "This new agreement ensures that Horizon BCBSNJ members will have continued access to all of the advanced medical expertise available at Penn Medicine."

About the University of Pennsylvania Health System
The University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) includes its flagship hospital, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, rated one of the nation’s top ten “Honor Roll” hospitals by U.S.News & World Report; Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital; and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. In addition UPHS includes a primary-care provider network; a faculty practice plan; home care, hospice, and nursing home; three multispecialty satellite facilities; as well as the Penn Medicine at Rittenhouse campus, which offers comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation facilities and outpatient services in multiple specialties.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System Web site is located at www.pennhealth.com

About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is the oldest and largest health insurer in the state serving over 3.6 million members. Horizon BCBSNJ is New Jersey's only not-for-profit, health services corporation and is headquartered in Newark with offices in Wall, Mt. Laurel, and West Trenton.

Horizon BCBSNJ provides a broad array of health and dental insurance products and services for individuals and small and large companies, including national companies headquartered in New Jersey. Horizon BCBSNJ is committed to improving the health care experience for all the communities we serve as well as helping our members become and stay healthy.

Horizon BCBSNJ’s Web site is located at www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Download the PDF: Horizon Brief Notes 4.9.09