Local Hospitals Join Benefit Plan For State Employees
10/18/2005

Keith Jennings
706.272.6118

Dalton, GA – Hamilton Medical Center and Murray Medical Center have reached agreement to participate in the State Health Benefit Plan’s HMO option called BlueChoice.

“It is important to Hamilton to be able to continue providing quality health care services to State employees and their dependents,” stated Hamilton President and CEO, John Bowling.

Bowling urged that educators and other State employees in northwest Georgia who seek to utilize Hamilton Medical Center and Murray Medical Center services to enroll in the BlueChoice HMO option when choosing their plan.

Hospital officials said that the BlueChoice HMO option, exclusive to State Health Benefit Plan beneficiaries, remained the most appropriate of the contracts awarded by the State. Hamilton participated in the former PPO option offered through 1st Medical Network which in not an option after January 1, 2006.

“When United Healthcare was awarded the bid from the State for the PPO, it was expected that a quality network of health care providers would be exclusively for State beneficiaries,” said Bowling. “This was not the case with United.”

Over the past few weeks, Hamilton has actively engaged in discussions with United. According to hospital officials, many physicians and hospitals have not historically contracted with United due to unacceptable contract terms and excessive administrative requirements.

“We are disappointed that we have not reached agreement with the terms offered by United Healthcare,” said Bowling. “Hamilton’s mission is to provide high quality, customer-focused care to any and all individuals who enter our doors. In order to keep this mission alive, Hamilton must remain a faithful steward by matching growing patient care needs with adequate funding from government and private payors.”

Hamilton. Health Care Syst. | About HMC | Health & Wellness | Health Plans | Giving Opps. | Online Gift Shop | Volunteers | Employment | The Baby Page | For Vendors Only | For Media Only | For Physicians Only | Se Habla Español | Physician's Directory