Greenport - Still engaged in negotiations over medical reimbursement costs, the East End Health Alliance and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield announced on Wednesday that seniors using Empire's Medicare Advantage "Mediblue" HMO and PPO services will now be considered "in-network" at Alliance hospitals.

"We are pleased to have settled this important component of the Empire contract," said Eastern Long Island Hospital President and CEO Paul Connor in a statement. "It is important for our seniors in the East End with Empire plans be assured they are covered."

Specifics of this agreement are still being ironed out, though Alliance officials have said that it will be a "multi-year agreement."

Negotiations between the East End Health Alliance and Empire stalled back in July, and the two parties were unable to meet the Aug. 1 agreement deadline. Many Empire users are now considered "out-of-network" for coverage at Alliance hospitals, namely Eastern Long Island Hospital, Peconic Bay Medical Center and Southampton Hospital. However, emergency care is still covered for Empire customers, and Empire has agreed to cover some "routine, non-emergency services" if there is no alternative hospital within 30 miles of a customer's home. Now, senior "Mediblue" customers are back "in-network" altogether.

"We are pleased to reach this agreement with the Alliance as a result of continuing negotiations," Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield President and CEO Mark Wagar also offered in a statement. "We are pleased that we reached an agreement that will ensure our senior members have convenient access to their community hospital."

A "quiet period" continues for both the Alliance and Empire as the two parties carry on with negotiations. Both the Alliance and Empire have agreed that neither side will discuss current negotiations until they are decided upon.

"They are still focusing on negotiations," offered Empire Public Relations Director Craig Andrews on Tuesday. "They are keeping their heads down."