WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center and Humana today announced they have reached an agreement on a new contract that will allow all specialty providers within the Samaritan Medical Practice back in the TRICARE Network, effective Feb. 11, 2019. The Specialty Practice includes General Surgery, Ear, Nose and Throat, Gastroenterology, Thoracic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Pulmonology, A Woman’s Perspective OB/GYN, Vascular Surgery and Dr. Scott Mollison, Orthopedic Surgery.
Negotiations between Humana, the contract administrator for TRICARE, and Samaritan Medical Center continued following the expiration of the prior agreement on Jan. 1, 2019.
“We are pleased to announce we have come to terms with Humana that will allow us to continue providing a wide variety of high-quality specialty services to the soldiers, retirees, civilian employees, and their families of the Fort Drum Medical Command (MEDDAC),” said Thomas H. Carman, President & CEO, Samaritan Medical Center.
“We have a long, proud history of partnering with Fort Drum and have helped create a healthcare model that works not only for our community, but has served as a model for the U.S. Army and Department of Defense for adoption at other military installations as well. We are pleased to continue to offer these valuable services close to home for our TRICARE beneficiaries through the Samaritan Medical Practice,” Carman added.
While there was no lapse in coverage and care for the beneficiaries previously assigned to the Samaritan specialists, the new agreement helps maintain a broad network of options for patients.
“Helping our beneficiaries get the care they need when and where they want it is at the center of our mission,” president of Humana Military, Brent Densford said. “We’re happy to see our relationship with Samaritan continuing with these trusted providers.”
As per a non-disclosure agreement reached by both parties, terms of the contract were not disclosed. Samaritan Medical Center continued delivering emergency, urgent, and both in-patient medical and behavioral health care following the expiration of the prior agreement, but a number of outpatient specialty services were impacted during the negotiations.
About Samaritan Medical Center
Samaritan Medical Center (Watertown, New York) is a 290-bed not-for-profit community medical center, offering a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services. From primary and emergency care to highly specialized medical and surgical services, such as cancer treatment, neonatal intensive care, behavioral health and addiction services, and imaging services, Samaritan Medical Center and its team of healthcare professionals proudly serves the medical needs of our civilian and military community. Quality, compassion, and safety are the basic principles by which exceptional care is
delivered at Samaritan.
More information regarding Samaritan Medical Center is available at https://samaritanhealth.com.
About Humana
Humana Inc. is committed to helping our millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health. Our successful history in care delivery and health plan administration is helping us create a new kind of integrated care with the power to improve health and well-being and lower costs. Our efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.