Independent Health has inked a two-year agreement with Buffalo, N.Y.-based Catholic Health, The Buffalo News reported Dec. 16.
The system, which operates five hospitals in Western New York and has 900 affiliated physicians, is still attempting to reach a contract with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York.
According to The Buffalo News, the two sides have been trying to reach a deal since February. The contract will expire Dec. 31, but a cooling-off period means patients will have in-network access until at least Feb. 28.
A spokesperson for Highmark told The Buffalo News the payer is optimistic a deal will be reached with Catholic Health by the end of the year. Highmark reached a deal with another major provider in the Buffalo region, Kaleida Health, Nov. 16.