Empire BlueCross BlueShield has significantly expanded its HMO and PPO/EPO & Indemnity Reference Laboratory Networks.
Officials say the expansion is expected to increase choices for members and physicians, create an environment in which labs compete on service, quality and choice, and reduce the need for members to spend more of their healthcare dollars using out-of-network laboratories.
Empire is expanding its HMO Reference Laboratory Network to include Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp), DIANON Systems and Centrex Clinical Labs (both LabCorp subsidiaries) for all markets. For the areas of Brooklyn and Queens, Shiel Medical Laboratory will also be added.
The company is also expanding its PPO/EPO and Indemnity Reference Laboratory Network to include Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp), DIANON Systems, Centrex Clinical Labs, BioReference Laboratories, Enzo Clinical Laboratories and Sunrise Medical Laboratories.
In addition to patient service centers, the labs offer courier pick-up services for specimens collected in provider offices,.
"This broad network enables our 6 million members to choose to use the reference lab that best meets their needs based on quality, service and cost," said Mark Wagar, Empire's president and CEO.
A full list of providers participating in Empire’s reference laboratory networks can be found here.