Penn State has been notified that State College Anesthesia Associates has chosen to no longer participate in the HealthAmerica network, which is used by many employees on the University Park campus. According to HealthAmerica, State College Anesthesia Associates has been offered compensation for its services at rates comparable to those at other major medical centers in Pennsylvania, including the University's own Hershey Medical Center. HealthAmerica has not been successful in their negotiations with State College Anesthesia Associates, and this may have an impact on University employees.
In the absence of a new agreement, HealthAmerica participants will be responsible to the anesthesiology corporation for the charges that the health plan does not cover. This will start for services rendered beginning July 1, 2006.
Payment for anesthesia services received at the Mount Nittany Medical Center by Anesthesia Associates will now be sent directly from HealthAmerica to Penn State employees, rather than to Anesthesia Associates. HealthAmerica will be reimbursing Penn State employees at the previously contracted rate. Penn State employees will need to directly pay State College Anesthesia Associates the amount they are billed.
Employees contemplating elective inpatient or outpatient surgery at the Mount Nittany Medical Center can receive assistance to understand the financial implications by contacting the Employee Benefits Division at benefits@psu.edu or (814) 865-1473, or HealthAmerica at (814) 308-7477.