EmblemHealth

GHI – originally named Group Health Association of New York – was established in 1937 to provide New York's working families access to medical services.{{cite book

|last=Plunkett |first=Jack W.

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yv4Q0tItrNcC

|title=Plunkett's Health Care Industry Almanac 2008: The Only Comprehensive Guide To The Health Care Industry

|date=October 2007 |publisher=Plunkett Research, Ltd. |isbn=978-1-59392-096-8 |language=en}}{{Cite book

|last=Guzick |first=David S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x237DwAAQBAJ

|title=An Introduction to the US Health Care Industry: Balancing Care, Cost, and Access

|date=October 13, 2020 |publisher=JHU Press |isbn=978-1-4214-3866-5 |language=en}} This new health care model was built around a network of participating providers and was a precursor to today's preferred provider organization (PPO).{{cite web |website=www.dfs.ny.gov |url=http://www.dfs.ny.gov/about/hearings/hip_ghi_conv/planof_pdf/02_draftof.pdf |title=Plan of Conversion of the EmblemHealth Companies |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518112007/http://www.dfs.ny.gov/about/hearings/hip_ghi_conv/planof_pdf/02_draftof.pdf |archive-date=2015-05-18}}

In order to expand its presence in the upstate New York market, GHI established GHI HMO as an incorporated{{What|date=January 2025}} entity in May 1999. The following month, GHI HMO acquired certain assets of Well Care Management Group, Inc.

In August 2005, GHI Select HMO acquired the assets, including the membership, of ABC Health Plans, which provides managed care services to Medicaid, Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus enrollees in Manhattan and the Bronx, New York City.{{cite web| website=www.bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=23417887|title=Company Overview of ABC Health Plan}}{{cite book|last=Plunkett|first=Jack W.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aWcR2XJ7rrAC|title=Plunkett's Health Care Industry Almanac 2006: The Only Comprehensive Guide To The Health Care Industry|date=November 2005|publisher=Plunkett Research, Ltd.|isbn=978-1-59392-046-3|language=en}}

Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP) was incorporated in 1944 as the first health insurance plan for public service workers.{{Cite book

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h5jnAAAAMAAJ|title=Public Health Service Publication

|date=1951 |publisher=U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Environmental Health Service, National Air Pollution Control Administration

|pages=25–6 |language=en}} The company was founded by David M. Heyman with the support of New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia, who wanted to offer medical services to New Yorkers of “moderate means.”{{Cite news

|last=Hicks |first=Nancy |date=September 11, 1972

|title=FUTURE OF H.I.P. STILL IN DISPUTE |language=en-US

|newspaper=The New York Times

|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/09/11/archives/future-of-hip-still-in-dispute-factionalism-on-financing-hinders.html

|access-date=July 21, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}} HIP got its first members in 1947.{{Cite news

|last=Blair |first=William G. |date=January 8, 1984

|title=DAVID M. HEYMAN, FINANCIER AND A HEALTH SERVICES LEADER |language=en-US

|newspaper=The New York Times

|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/08/obituaries/david-m-heyman-financier-and-a-health-services-leader.html

|access-date=July 21, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}

In 1997, HIP began offering its members medical services through a physician provider network, in addition to its medical centers.

In 2001, HIP acquired Vytra Health Plans Long Island along with certain related entities.{{Cite news

|date=May 24, 2001

|title=HIP Buys Vytra |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20010524/FREE/105240704/hip-buys-vytra

|access-date=July 21, 2021

|website=Crain's New York Business |language=en}} Due to their steadily worsening financial condition, the decision was made to merge these entities into HIP, effective March 29, 2006.

In March 2005, HIP acquired ConnectiCare Holding Company, Inc., a Connecticut corporation and its subsidiaries.{{cite web|last=Levick|first=Diane|date=30 September 2005|title=HEALTH PLANS WILL MERGE|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2005-09-30-0509300873-story.html|access-date=2021-07-27|website=courant.com|language=en-US}} ConnectiCare was established in 1981{{cite web|date=2004-06-24|title=HIP of N.Y. Acquires ConnectiCare|url=https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2004/06/25/43601.htm|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Insurance Journal|language=en-US}} and serves approximately 245,000 members in a service area that includes the entire State of Connecticut; Berkshire, Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin and parts of Worcester counties in Massachusetts; and Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Orange Counties in New York. ConnectiCare's members had access to a provider network of approximately 19,900 health care providers prior to the merger.

On September 29, 2005, the boards of directors of GHI and HIP announced an agreement to merge the two companies. The resulting company, to be named EmblemHealth, would be governed by a Foundation made up of an equal number of directors from both companies.

Anthony Watson, then chairman and CEO of HIP, managed the 2006 merger, which created the largest health insurer based in New York State. Watson's compensation, $8.8 million in 2011, was often discussed. In contrast, Mark Wagar, president and CEO of Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield (part of Anthem), the largest New York insurer, was paid $2.2 million.

In May 2013, Frank Branchini became chairman and chief executive officer, succeeding Watson, who retired.{{Cite web|date=2013-05-15|title=CEO Tony Watson to leave EmblemHealth|url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20130515/HEALTH_CARE/130519929/emblemhealth-ceo-anthony-watson-stepping-down-after-30-years|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Crain's New York Business|language=en}}

In November 2012, EmblemHealth began a program called Neighborhood Care to provide health services, including health screenings, exercise classes and referral assistance, to underserved communities.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-09|title=Community-based providers push to continue behavioral health reforms|url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/health-pulse/community-based-providers-push-continue-behavioral-health-reforms|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Crain's New York Business|language=en}}{{cite web|title=Payers make wellness investments|url=http://managedhealthcareexecutive.modernmedicine.com/managed-healthcare-executive/content/tags/healthcare-stakeholders/payers-make-wellness-investments|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518084238/http://managedhealthcareexecutive.modernmedicine.com/managed-healthcare-executive/content/tags/healthcare-stakeholders/payers-make-wellness-investments|archive-date=2015-05-18|access-date=2015-05-14|website=www.managedhealthcareexecutive.modernmedicine.com}} The first two Neighborhood Care facilities were located in Harlem and Cambria Heights, Queens.{{Cite web|last=Ewing|first=Michael|date=2013-02-08|title=EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care Comes to Harlem|url=https://commercialobserver.com/2013/02/emblemhealth-neighborhood-care-comes-to-harlem/|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Commercial Observer|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2014-05-29|title=EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care Opens at Hudson Guild|url=https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com/emblemhealth-neighborhood-care-opens-hudson-guild/|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Harlem World Magazine|language=en-US}} Two additional Neighborhood Care sites were established in Chinatown in December 2013{{cite press release| website=www.prnewswire.com|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/emblemhealth-neighborhood-care-opens-in-chinatown-235581481.html|title=EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care Opens in Chinatown}} and in Crown Heights in April 2016.{{cite web| website=blog.emblemhealth.com|url=http://blog.emblemhealth.com|title=Care in Crown Heights}}

In January 2013, EmblemHealth announced a partnership with AdvantageCare Physicians (ACPNY){{What|date=January 2025}}.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

On May 21, 2015, it was announced that Karen Ignagni, CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), would leave the industry's lobbying group to become president and CEO of EmblemHealth, effective September 1, 2015.{{cite web|title=Karen Ignagni to be EmblemHealth CEO|url=http://www.nasdaq.com/article/karen-ignagni-to-be-emblemhealth-ceo-20150521-01057|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529221500/http://www.nasdaq.com/article/karen-ignagni-to-be-emblemhealth-ceo-20150521-01057|archive-date=29 May 2015|website=www.nasdaq.com}} Ignagni, who spent more than 20 years with AHIP, replaced Frank Branchini.{{cite web|website=www3.ambest.com |url=http://www3.ambest.com/ambv/bestnews/newscontent.aspx?AltSrc=108&refnum=182941 |title=AHIP's Karen Ignagni Slated to Take Helm of EmblemHealth |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529231051/http://www3.ambest.com/ambv/bestnews/newscontent.aspx?AltSrc=108&refnum=182941 |archivedate=2015-05-29 }}

In February 2016, EmblemHealth announced a new partnership with the City of New York and the Municipal Labor Committee to provide expanded access to health care.{{cite press release|website=www.prnewswire.com|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/emblemhealth-pleased-to-partner-with-the-city-of-new-york-and-its-unions-to-expand-access-to-innovative-value-based-care-300228074.html|title=EmblemHealth Pleased to Partner with the City of New York and its Unions to Expand Access to Innovative, Value-Based Care}}{{Cite web |date=2016-06-23 |title=Mayor Bill de Blasio and Zocdoc Launch New Healthcare Partnership as Part of Workwell NYC |url=https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/552-16/mayor-bill-de-blasio-zocdoc-launch-new-healthcare-partnership-part-workwell-nyc |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=The official website of the City of New York}} The partnership was also developed to support the city's goal of health care cost savings for city taxpayers.{{cite web|website=www.crainsnewyork.com|url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150401/HEALTH_CARE/150409990/mayor-details-3-4-billion-plan-for-lowering-health-care-costs.html|title=Mayor details $3.4 billion plan for lowering health care costs}}

On March 25, 2016, EmblemHealth announced a two-year partnership agreement with Northwell Health.{{Cite news|url=http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20160325/NEWS/160329915|title=EmblemHealth signs partnership with Northwell|work=Modern Healthcare|access-date=2018-05-10|language=en-us}}

In March 2020, EmblemHealth was named the winner of two Stevie Awards at the 14th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.{{Cite web|title=EmblemHealth Family of Company Wins 2020 Stevie® Awards for Innovation in Customer Service|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/emblemhealth-family-company-wins-2020-120000322.html|access-date=2020-07-14|website=finance.yahoo.com|language=en-US}}

HIP owned LaGuardia Hospital from 1964 thru 1996.{{cite news |newspaper=The New York Times

|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/23/classified/paid-notice-deaths-gray-arthur-a-md.html

|title=Deaths: GRAY, ARTHUR A., M.D.

|quote=at Forest Hills Hospital dates back to 1976, when it was known as LaGuardia Hospital.

|date=November 23, 2004}}{{cite news |publisher=Queens Courier

|url=https://qns.com/2006/02/hospital-takes-on-new-name/

|title=Hospital takes on new name

|author=Toni Cimino |date=February 16, 2006}} GHI owned Hillcrest General Hospital during a similar period.{{cite web

|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/587/887/1751274/

|title=Group Health Inc. v. Blue Cross Ass'n, 587 F. Supp. 887 (S.D.N.Y. 1984)

|quote=In 1974, GHI purchased Hillcrest General Hospital

|date=June 13, 1984}}{{cite web

|quote=Hillcrest General Hospital-G.H.I. Group Health Incorporated

|url=https://www.leagle.com/decision/1994810201ad2d6091350.xml

|title=DEWEY v. HILLCREST GEN. HOSP.

|date=February 22, 1994}}

{{Portal|New York City|Companies}}

• WellCare
• Managed health care

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.emblemhealth.com/ Official website]
• [http://blog.emblemhealth.com/ Who's Caring For You?]
• [http://tribunezone.com/ HIP Health Plan of New York]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090527002703/http://www.health-insurance-carriers.com/grouphealthinc.html GHI Listing at the Health Insurance Carriers website]

Category:Financial services companies established in 2006

Category:Medical and health organizations based in New York (state)

Category:Health maintenance organizations

Category:Companies based in New York City

Category:Health insurance companies of the United States

Category:2006 establishments in New York City

Category:Organizations established in 2006