Effective immediately, Longmont United Hospital will no longer be participating in Kaiser Permanente’s Colorado provider network for Preferred Provider Organization(PPO) and Point of Service (POS) benefit plans in the Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS) health insurance network. [Longmont United Hospital still works with the PHCS network - just not through Kaiser] Kaiser is very disappointed by this decision and they are continuing to pursue ways to reestablish a relationship. This network change only affects Longmont United Hospital. It does not affect any other participating hospitals or physicians in their network. Kaiser Permanente will help members with any transition required as a result of the change.

If a deal with PHCS is not reached, the closest hospital for many Colorado members will likely be the Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette, which is currently involved in litigation to block a pending sale to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health Systems. To assist members in transitioning their care, Kaiser Permanente will treat Longmont United as a participating provider through a transition period, giving members the same level of health insurance benefits they have today. This period will extend through April 1, 2008 and applies to all treatments and services received at Longmont United that are covered under their health insurance plan.

Once the transition period ends, any non-emergent care will be covered at the out-of-network benefit level. To be covered at the higher (in-network) benefit level, Colorado members should begin making arrangements to transition their care as early as possible.

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