Southampton - East End Health Alliance hospitals - Eastern Long Island Hospital, Peconic Bay Medical Center, and Southampton Hospital - and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield have reached a contract agreement.

Under the new contract, which will go into effect on April 1, all three hospitals will be in Empire's network. This includes both commercial and Medicare products.

"Empire is pleased to have reached this agreement with East End Health Alliance because it ensures that all of our members will have in-network access to medical care at all EEHA facilities," said Mark Wagar, President and CEO, Empire BlueCross BlueShield. "I believe that we have reached a fair agreement that meets the needs of our community and our members and that it achieves our number one goal of keeping quality health care affordable for our members."

"We appreciate the support our communities gave us during this difficult time," said Paul Connor, CEO of Eastern Long Island Hospital. "It's been an admittedly long road. At this time, however, we are forward looking and are pleased that we were able to reach an agreement with Empire that challenges us to be mindful of costs but also enables us to invest in initiatives and systems that will promote long term affordability and accessibility of healthcare services on Eastern Long Island for our growing communities."

On Monday, April 5 at 11 a.m. the East End Health Alliance will hold a press conference concerning the contract settlement with Empire Blue Cross. Congressman Timothy H. Bishop, New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle and Assemblymen Marc S. Alessi and Fred W. Thiele, Jr. will be in attendance at Peconic Bay Medical Center, 1300 Roanoke Avenue, Riverhead. The event will take place in the Main Lobby.