Datapoint: New York Approves Highmark-HealthNow Combination

March 2

The state of New York last week approved Highmark Health and HealthNow New York’s affiliation deal, provided certain conditions, including job protection and health equity standards, are met. While deal is being referred to as an “affiliation agreement” rather than a merger, HealthNow’s products will take on Highmark’s branding, making Highmark the primary Blue Cross and Blue Shield affiliate in HealthNow’s service areas. HealthNow’s BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and BlueShield of Northeastern New York currently serves 596,277 members.

Source: AIS’s Directory of Health Plans