See below Horizon Brief Notes
Applies to: All Commercial Markets
Hackensack Meridian Health Hospitals Have Decided to Leave Our Network
As the state’s largest and most experienced health insurer, we have a responsibility to our customers to manage health care costs so we can continue to provide access to affordable, quality care.
As you’ve seen recently, some providers have been asking for unreasonable reimbursement rates. High prices at hospitals directly increase our members’ out-of-pocket costs and insurance premiums and make health care less affordable. When Horizon cannot meet these demands, these providers are deciding to go out of network.
For the past year, Horizon has been working to reach a new agreement with Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) to stay in the Horizon Hospital Network. Unfortunately, HMH has decided to terminate its hospitals from the Horizon Hospital Network effective June 1, 2025, unless we agree to significant price increases for services and care at their facilities.
Under New Jersey law and the terms of Horizon’s contract with HMH, affected Horizon members may continue to use HMH hospitals as in-network facilities through May 31, 2025. They will continue to pay their copay, deductible and/or coinsurance or other member liability (as shown on their Explanation of Benefits [EOB]) statement for any covered hospital services received from HMH hospitals on or before May 31, 2025.
Members are not responsible for additional charges for covered services on or before May 31, 2025. If they receive a bill in addition to their copay, deductible and/or coinsurance or other member liability for covered hospital services received from HMH hospitals on or before May 31, 2025, they can call Member Services at the number listed on the back of their member ID card.
Which HMH Hospitals Are Terminating from the Horizon Hospital Network
HMH is moving the following hospitals out of network on June 1, 2025:
- Bayshore Medical Center
- Hackensack Meridian Health Carrier Clinic
- Hackensack University Medical Center
- 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
HMH physician groups (e.g., primary care and specialty physician practices) are not part of this termination and will remain in network.
What We’re Doing
Our members who have had care, treatment or service from an HMH hospital in the last 24 months will receive an email or letter from us to let them know about this potential change. This change to the Horizon Hospital Network does not affect your clients’ basic health care benefits.
We know that access to HMH hospitals is important to your clients and their covered employees, and we regret their decision. We continue to work with them to reach an agreement for a fair and reasonable increase in the prices that Horizon members pay for care and to keep their hospitals in our network.
In 2024, we successfully negotiated new agreements with many health systems, hospitals and physician groups who share our goal to make health care more affordable. We have contracts with more than 70,000 health professionals and more than 100 area hospitals.
Getting In-Network Care
Your clients can find other in-network hospitals on the Horizon Blue app or at HorizonBlue.com/doctorfinder. If they need help, they can call us at the number of the back of their member ID card.
Horizon is committed to doing our part to control the cost of health care, but all of us in New Jersey’s health care system have a role to play and responsibility to help make health care more affordable.
Learn more about the current situation with HMH.