The University is aware that both FamilyCare Medical Group (FCMG) and St. Joseph’s Health have separately notified their patients, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) and the community that they intend to leave Excellus BCBS’s network effective Jan. 1, 2025, if agreements are not reached.
While the University is not privy to the contract terms and negotiations between Excellus BCBS and providers, nor can it control a provider’s decision to participate in any network, it has expressed concerns to Excellus BCBS, and is hopeful all parties are able to reach mutually agreed upon contracts.
It is important to note that Syracuse University self-insures its health plans to the benefit of its employees. As a self-insured health plan, the University pays for all medical claims costs and fees, effectively acting as its own insurer. Faculty and staff share in the cost of the health plan in the form of deductibles, copays, coinsurance and paycheck contributions.
As health care costs continue to outpace the general rate of inflation, controlling costs through favorable and appropriate provider contract agreements helps keep University and member costs down and has never been more important.
The University remains optimistic that agreements will be reached soon and will continue to encourage a positive resolution for all. Included below is important information for those who are enrolled in the University’s health plan and receive services from either FCMG or St. Joseph’s Health:
- Through Dec. 31, 2024, FCMG and St. Joseph’s Health remain in the Excellus BCBS network and any eligible claims will continue to be covered as in-network, with the applicable deductible, copay or coinsurance applied. If you receive a bill from FCMG or St. Joseph’s Health for a service in 2024, please review it carefully and make sure that it has been submitted to Excellus BCBS first. If your bill does not show Excellus BCBS paying any portion of the bill, please contact the University’s dedicated Excellus BCBS customer care team at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220).
- Effective Jan. 1, 2025, if either FCMG or St. Joseph’s Health are no longer in Excellus BCBS’s network, they will be considered an out-of-network provider. If you are enrolled in the SUBlue or SUPro health plans, eligible services provided by either provider will be processed as an out-of-network claim, but you will generally be responsible for higher out-of-pocket costs and you may need to submit your claim to Excellus BCBS for processing. If you are enrolled in the SUOrange health plan, which has no out-of-network coverage, services will not be covered by the plan, and you will pay the full cost of the visit. You can find more information about the plans’ in-network and out-of-network cost sharing on the health plan webpage.
Should an agreement not be reached, Excellus BCBS is committed to helping employees with health coverage through the University to identify alternative in-network providers that are accepting new patients.
- MDLIVE is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even on holidays, to provide in-network care for non-emergency medical or behavioral health conditions. Board-certified doctors and licensed therapists treat a wide range of conditions and generally can prescribe medications. For more information, please visit the MDLIVE webpage.
- Members can access the Excellus BCBS 24/7 Nurse Line at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220). Specially trained registered nurses from Excellus BCBS can provide support and education for members with chronic or complex health conditions, or provide answers to more general health questions, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- If you would like to learn more about in-network providers, call the University’s dedicated customer care team at Excellus BCBS by calling 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220). Members can also visit their website to locate care options.
Should you have any questions, please reach out to the HR Shared Services team at 315.443.4042.