Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey said on Thursday that Hackensack Meridian Health has decided to terminate its hospitals from the Horizon Hospital Network effective June 1, 2025, unless the two sides can agree to significant price increases for services and care at the facilities.
Horizon issued a press release where it stated that it has been working to reach a new agreement with Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) to stay in the Horizon Hospital Network.
In 2024, Horizon said it successfully negotiated new agreements with many health systems, hospitals and physician groups that share our goal to make health care more affordable. We have contracts with more than 70,000 health care professionals and all other hospitals in New Jersey are currently in network.
“We continue to work with HMH to reach an agreement for a fair and reasonable increase in the prices that Horizon members pay for care and to keep HMH hospitals in our network. You can continue to refer members to these hospitals as in network through May 31, 2025,” the release stated.
HMH physician groups (e.g., primary care and specialty physician practices) are not included in their termination and remain in network.
HMH’s decision only applies to their hospitals.
Medicaid, DSNP and Braven Health members, as well as members covered under the HMH employee health plan, are not impacted by this change to the Horizon Hospital Network.
HMH is moving the following hospitals out of network on June 1, 2025:
Bayshore Medical Center
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack Meridian Health Carrier Clinic
Hackensack UMC Mountainside
Hackensack UMC Palisades
Hackensack UMC at Pascack Valley
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
JFK University Medical Center
Ocean University Medical Center
Old Bridge Medical Center
Raritan Bay Medical Center
Riverview Medical Center
Southern Ocean Medical Center
This change to the Horizon Hospital Network does not affect members’ basic health care benefits. Members may continue to use HMH hospitals as participating, in-network hospitals through May 31, 2025.
