Stony Brook University Hospital opens up to insurance exchange

Stony Brook University Hospital is now taking one of the insurance options offered through the healthcare exchange.

On Feb. 14., hospital officials reached an agreement with Health Republic through their health insurance provider MagnaCare. Health Republic is one of eight options offered to residents in Suffolk County through the exchange.

The hospital is still in “active discussions” with several of the other providers on the exchange, working to come to an agreement “that is both beneficial for patients and fiscally responsible for Stony Brook and the insurance carrier,” according to a statement from the hospital.

“We are pleased to have been able to amend our existing agreement with MagnaCare to include in-network coverage for thousands of Long Islanders participating in the NY State of Health Plan Marketplace,” said Dr. L. Reuven Pasternak, chief executive officer at Stony Brook University Hospital, and vice president for Health Systems, Stony Brook Medicine.

“It supports New York State’s mission to offer affordable care to our patients in a manner that is consistent with Stony Brook’s core mission as the safety net provider for the area and source of specialized and unique care for populations at risk.”

As of last week, all three East End Hospitals — Peconic Bay Medical Center, Eastern Long Island Hospital and Southampton Hospital, all comprising the East End Health Alliance — were accepting six of the eight plans. Those included EmblemHealth, Empire Blue Cross, Oscar, United Healthcare and Affinity insurances, as well as Health Republic, a nonprofit alternative health plan.

For patients with out-of-network exchange options requiring care that only Stony Brook University Hospital can provide, Stony Brook will work with the patient’s exchange plan to try to reach an arrangement for payment, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Patients in need of this type of assistance should call Stony Brook University Hospital’s office of healthcare tele-services at (631) 444-4392.