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URGENT UPDATE: FCMG & Excellus ― What you need to know.

As the largest practice of primary care clinicians in Central New York, FamilyCare Medical Group’s focused mission is providing quality care to our communities. The high level of care we provide for our patients comes with a responsibility to keep you informed of issues that may influence our ability to continue to provide the outstanding healthcare you have relied on us for.

URGENT UPDATE -- October 1, 2024
We are posting this update to ensure our valued patients remain current and informed regarding our negotiations with Excellus. (You can read our previous communication on this matter further below.) You can read a complete summary of where we stand in this letter from Dr. Mitchell Brodey, President and Chief Executive Officer of FamilyCare Medical Group. Importantly, Dr. Brodey's letter includes a series of actions YOU can take to prepare for upcoming changes related to this matter -- and even aid in our continuing efforts to work with Excellus in a fashion that fully benefits you and your family.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

  • Explore other coverage options. FamilyCare Medical Group will remain in-network in 2025 with several other insurance providers including MVP Health Care, Humana, Aetna and
    United Healthcare. We encourage you to review your insurance plan options and consider switching to a carrier that allows you to stay with us. Call us and we can help you
    understand your options.
  • Talk to your employer. As you read this your benefits manager and human resource staff are actively working to select an insurance plan. You have a voice in this process. Talk to
    them about making sure they offer insurance plans that have FamilyCare Medical Group as an in network provider. This will protect you from the potential of higher out of network charges and the difficulty in finding an alternative primary care physician.
  • Contact your broker. Patients with a Medicare Advantage plan administered by Excellus may consider alternative coverage options during the annual open enrollment period from
    Oct. 15-Dec. 7, 2024.
  • Contact Medicare. Dually-enrolled patients in Medicare/Medicaid may have options to make a change in your plan. Call 800-633-4227 to see if you are eligible.
  • Contact New York State. If you are covered by an Excellus Medicaid plan you can consider alternative coverage options. To learn about affordable options call 800-541-2831 or visit
    www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/members.
  • Call Excellus. It is every patient’s right to call their insurance provider and ask why their primary care provider may no longer be in network. At FamilyCare Medical Group we believe
    that care and patient outcomes are a shared responsibility between a provider and insurer.
  • Call Excellus at 877-883-9577 and ask them to explain why their provider network is shrinking.
  • Consider the impact on your care plan. Your health and well-being are our primary concern. We sincerely hope you’ll stay with FamilyCare Medical Group. If you decide to switch to another provider, we understand. We will help you through your transition and ensure your medical records are securely transferred to your new provider. If you have any appointments or procedures scheduled for early 2025, please contact us about possibly rescheduling those before the end of this year.

 

ORIGINAL NOTICE -- JULY 24, 2024

We have notified Excellus Health Plan (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Central New York) of our intention to terminate our professional provider agreement on December 31, 2024. To learn more, please read the appropriate letter from Dr. Mitchell V. Brodey, President and CEO of FamilyCare Medical Group: