Healthfirst Expands into Orange and Sullivan Counties in New York

Jul 09, 2019

Supports company’s growth strategy and goal of offering access to quality, affordable healthcare to more New Yorkers; follows recent expansion into Westchester County

Healthfirst will acquire Essential Plan and Medicaid enrollees of the Crystal Run Health Plan

 

New York, NY, July 9, 2019 – Healthfirst today announced that the New York State Department of Health (DOH) has approved its expansion into Orange and Sullivan counties in New York. The company has received approval to serve the Medicaid, Essential Plan, Child Health Plus (CHP), and Health and Recovery Plan (HARP) populations in Orange and Sullivan counties beginning August 1, 2019. This approval follows the company’s earlier expansion into Westchester County.

Additionally, as of September 1, 2019, Essential Plan and Medicaid enrollees of the Crystal Run Health Plan will be transitioned to Healthfirst. This will help fuel the company’s expansion into these counties.

“This is an exciting opportunity as we continue to grow our business and serve a new geographic region,” said Pat Wang, Healthfirst’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This growth is consistent with our mission to put our members first. For more than 25 years, Healthfirst has been serving New Yorkers and working across communities to understand their unique needs. We helped pioneer the value-based healthcare model—where hospitals and physicians are paid based on patient outcomes—because our company was founded on the belief that insurers need to be true partners in the health system. This expansion is a sign of our commitment to New York State, as well as of our strength and stability.”

“Orange and Sullivan counties offer Healthfirst an opportunity to bring our products and services to new members,” said Errol Pierre, Senior Vice President, State Programs. “Our ability to acquire the Essential Plan and Medicaid enrollees of the Crystal Run Health Plan as of September 1, 2019, will allow us to expand quickly and effectively. The fact that all Crystal Run Health Plan doctors are in network with Healthfirst, as are many of the other physicians who participated in the Crystal Run Medicaid and Essential Plans, will make for an easy transition. We look forward to welcoming Crystal Run members, as well as to engaging more broadly with the mid-Hudson Valley community, which has been a hallmark of success in all the neighborhoods where we do business.”

 

About Healthfirst

Healthfirst is New York’s largest not-for-profit health insurer, earning the trust of nearly 1.4 million members by offering access to affordable healthcare. Sponsored by New York City’s leading hospitals, Healthfirst’s unique advantage is rooted in its mission to put members first by working closely with its broad network of providers on shared goals. Healthfirst takes pride in being pioneers of the value-based care model, which is now recognized as a national best practice. For more than 25 years, Healthfirst has built its reputation in the community for top-quality products and services New Yorkers can depend on. It has grown significantly to serve the needs of members, offering market-leading products to fit every life stage, including Medicaid plans, Medicare Advantage plans, long-term care plans, qualified health plans, and individual and small group plans. For more information on Healthfirst, please visit www.healthfirst.org.