Governor Rell Announces 5 More Hospitals

Joining Charter Oak Health Plan

Yale-New Haven,  Bridgeport, Greenwich

Saint Francis and UConn Health Center signing on to plan

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that five more hospitals have reached agreement to join the Charter Oak Health Plan, expanding the network providing affordable health care to uninsured adults.

Governor Rell and Department of Social Services Commissioner Michael P. Starkowski said the newly enrolled hospitals are Yale-New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Saint FrancisCare in Hartford, and the UConn Health Center/John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington.

“We are doing exactly what we have set out to do and that is to build a robust health care network for the much-needed Charter Oak Health Plan,” Governor Rell said. “It is gratifying to see these outstanding hospitals become our partners in bringing health care coverage to the thousands who need it.”

They join the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven and Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury in the Charter Oak health care network.

The hospitals are in the process of enrolling with the Charter Oak insurers – Aetna Better Health, Community Health Network of Connecticut, and AmeriChoice by United Healthcare.

As hospitals enroll in the program, they bring additional facilities and physician provider groups.  For example, Saint FrancisCare includes Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center and Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital.

Governor . Rell, whose pioneering health coverage initiative was approved by the General Assembly last year, praised hospital administrators for helping build momentum for Charter Oak.

“We expect that more hospitals will be joining Charter Oak in the coming weeks,” Governor Rell said. “I thank all in the medical community who have decided to join the growing Charter Oak networks. Connecticut’s medical practitioners are among the very finest in the nation, and enrollees in Charter Oak – and the HUSKY program – will benefit from their care.”

          Since Governor Rell opened applications for Charter Oak June 30, the program has received more 7,200 applications and 21,000 phone calls from interested Connecticut residents.

·        On August 1, 34 applicants were with a Charter Oak insurer.

·        Another 30 applicants will have coverage beginning September 1.

·        In addition, 380 individuals have been determined eligible for services but have not yet enrolled with one of the three Charter Oak insurers.  Many or all of them could see their insurance services begin September 1 if they choose a health insurer shortly.

More applicants are being found eligible and ready to enroll each day.

          Consumer information about Connecticut’s Charter Oak Health Plan is available at www.charteroakhealthplan.com and 1-877-77-CTOAK.