HOBOKEN AND BEYOND - Patients with Empire BlueCross BlueShield health insurance may have to pay more out of pocket for services at Hoboken University Medical Center later this year, according to a letter the company sent to customers dated Feb. 6.

The owners of Hoboken University Medical Center have a track record of canceling and renegotiating contracts with health insurance companies when they buy a new hospital. If the hospital and the insurer can't reach an agreement about rates in the next few months, the contract will expire May 1 -- although patients can stay in-network through Aug. 30. After that date, patients may have to pay a much higher out-of-network fee for hospital services, or use a different hospital.

When the ownership group bought the hospital from the city last fall, HUMC's Chief Executive Officer Phil Schaengold noted in an interview with The Reporter that the hospital had been struggling under the city's ownership because he said the hospital was not getting a fair return from insurance companies. Empire BlueCross BlueShield is one of very few insurance companies currently with a contract in place at HUMC. Most others have been canceled and are being renegotiated.

"Empire BlueCross BlueShield has been negotiating with Hoboken University Medical Center for a new multyear agreement," according to the letter. "We regret to inform you that Hoboken's contract with Empire will terminate effective May 1, 2012. However, based on the application of NJ state law, a four-month 'cooling off' period shall apply to the HMO and HMO/POS. This means that the terms of the contract remain in effect and you and your dependents can continue to receive care at Hoboken on an in-network basis until Aug. 30."

If a new contract is set by Aug. 30, in-network benefits will continue.

If there is no new contract, according to the letter, emergency room services will continue to be covered according to the terms of customers' plans. The letter also says that people who have been using the hospital for ongoing situations, such as pregnancy, will get another period to stay in network (specifics are contained in the letter).

A spokesperson from Holdco, the owners of the hospital, was not immediately available for comment, but the hospital's comments will be added once a comment is received -- and keep watching hudsonreporter.com for other updates on this situation. - Ray Smith