Excellus reaches contract agreement with FamilyCare Medical Group

DeWITT — Syracuse–based FamilyCare Medical Group, PC (FCMG) has a new network-provider contract with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025. The new deal will keep FCMG in the Excellus BCBS provider network, meaning Excellus BCBS members can continue to use FCMG providers as they always have, according to the Nov. 21 announcement. Neither organization provided any specific financial details on the new contract agreement in their announcement. “While contract negotiations are a standard part of our business and very typical for this time of year, it is never lost on us how important it is for our members that we reach an agreement and keep the doctors and hospitals they trust in our network,” Jim Reed, president and CEO of Excellus BCBS, said in the joint announcement. Rochester–based Excellus BCBS, which operates an office in DeWitt, is Central New York’s largest health insurer. “Our patients are at the heart of everything we do,” Dr. Mitchell Brodey, president and CEO of FamilyCare Medical Group, said. “This agreement reflects our unwavering commitment to advocating for their needs and ensuring they continue to receive the exceptional care they deserve.” FCMG has its corporate office at 1001 W. Fayette St. in Syracuse. It has offices in 28 locations covering Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, and Oswego counties and its physicians are affiliated with Crouse Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Hospital, Auburn Community Hospital, and Guthrie Cortland Medical Center.

Talks with other providers

Excellus on Nov. 11 also announced a provider-network contract with Chicago–based WellNow Urgent Care, which operates locations throughout upstate New York. The announcement, which became effective Nov. 15, ended a more than year-long contract dispute between the two organizations. Excellus is also in discussions with St. Joseph’s Health to reach a new provider-network contract. “We continue to make good progress in our contract discussions with St. Joseph’s Health. We know our members value the care they receive at St. Joseph’s,” an Excellus spokesperson tells CNYBJ in an email. “We’re hopeful we’ll have an agreement by the end of the year.”