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![]() ![]() Syracuse Insurers Consolidate, Hospitals Struggle FinanciallyMedia Advisories FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Following a series of health plan exits and mergers, insurer Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield will have about 40 percent of the plan market once its acquisition of Univera, the markets largest health maintenance organization (HMO), is completed. On the hospital front, Crouse Hospital, Syracuses largest, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February but vows to remain open, and other hospitals are cutting costs and reducing outpatient services. Other key findings of the report, Insurers Consolidate, Hospitals Struggle Financially, which is based on HSCs third visit to Syracuse, include:
All of these developments raise important questions about the future of Syracuses health care market. What effect will the Excellus-Univera merger have on consumers, providers and other health plans? Will financial pressures force any of Syracuses hospitals to close? How will hospitals respond to the growing competitive threat of physician-owned specialty facilities? Will employers shift the cost of premium increases to employees, reduce benefits or drop coverage? HSC researchers are available to discuss the findings and put them into a national context. To arrange interviews, please contact HSC Public Affairs. The new report is based on an October 2000 site visit and interviews with more than 60 Syracuse health care leaders, representing providers, plans, employers, policy makers and consumers. |
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