EmblemHealth is one of the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

' largest nonprofit health plans. Headquartered at 55 Water Street in

Lower Manhattan Lower Manhattan, also known as Downtown Manhattan or Downtown New York City, is the southernmost part of the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Manhattan. The neighborhood is History of New York City, the historical birthplace o ...

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

, it is a multi-billion-dollar organization with over 3 million members. EmblemHealth was created in 2006 through the

merger Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are business transactions in which the ownership of a company, business organization, or one of their operating units is transferred to or consolidated with another entity. They may happen through direct absorpt ...

of Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP). GHI and HIP had been operating as separate companies in the New York region since 1937 and 1947, respectively.

History

Group Health Incorporated (GHI)

GHI – originally named Group Health Association of New York – was established in 1937 to provide New York's working families access to medical services. This new health care model was built around a network of participating providers and was a precursor to today's

preferred provider organization In U.S. health insurance, a preferred provider organization (PPO), sometimes referred to as a participating provider organization or preferred provider option, is a managed care organization of medical doctors, hospitals, and other health care p ...

(PPO). In order to expand its presence in the upstate New York market, GHI established GHI HMO as an incorporated 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 Medicaid is a government program in the United States that provides health insurance for adults and children with limited income and resources. The program is partially funded and primarily managed by U.S. state, state governments, which also h ...

, Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus enrollees in Manhattan and

the Bronx The Bronx ( ) is the northernmost of the five Boroughs of New York City, boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. It shares a land border with Westchester County, New York, West ...

, New York City.

Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP)

Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP) was incorporated in 1944 as the first health insurance plan for public service workers. The company was founded by David M. Heyman with the support of New York City mayor

Fiorello La Guardia Fiorello Henry La Guardia (born Fiorello Raffaele Enrico La Guardia; December 11, 1882September 20, 1947) was an American attorney and politician who represented New York in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as the 99th mayor of New Yo ...

, who wanted to offer medical services to New Yorkers of “moderate means.” HIP got its first members in 1947. 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. 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 Connecticut ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. ...

corporation and its subsidiaries. ConnectiCare was established in 1981 and serves approximately 245,000 members in a service area that includes the entire State of Connecticut;

Berkshire Berkshire ( ; abbreviated ), officially the Royal County of Berkshire, is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Oxfordshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the north-east, Greater London ...

Hampshire Hampshire (, ; abbreviated to Hants.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Berkshire to the north, Surrey and West Sussex to the east, the Isle of Wight across the Solent to the south, ...

, Hampden, Franklin and parts of

Worcester Worcester may refer to: Places United Kingdom * Worcester, England, a city and the county town of Worcestershire in England ** Worcester (UK Parliament constituency), an area represented by a Member of Parliament * Worcester Park, London, Engl ...

counties in

Massachusetts Massachusetts ( ; ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine to its east, Connecticut and Rhode ...

; 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.

Merger of GHI and HIP

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 A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a chief executive or managing director, is the top-ranking corporate officer charged with the management of an organization, usually a company or a nonprofit organization. CEOs find roles in variou ...

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 An anthem is a musical composition of celebration, usually used as a symbol for a distinct group, particularly the national anthems of countries. Originally, and in music theory and religious contexts, it also refers more particularly to sho ...

), 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.

As EmblemHealth

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. The first two Neighborhood Care facilities were located in

Harlem Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded roughly by the Hudson River on the west; the Harlem River and 155th Street on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and Central Park North on the south. The greater ...

and

Cambria Heights, Queens Cambria Heights is a residential neighborhood in the southeastern portion of the New York City borough of Queens. It is bounded by Springfield Boulevard and Francis Lewis Boulevard to the west, the Elmont, Nassau County border on the east, ...

. Two additional Neighborhood Care sites were established in

Chinatown Chinatown ( zh, t=唐人街) is the catch-all name for an ethnic enclave of Chinese people located outside Greater China, most often in an urban setting. Areas known as "Chinatown" exist throughout the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, O ...

in December 2013 and in Crown Heights in April 2016. In January 2013, EmblemHealth announced a partnership with AdvantageCare Physicians (ACPNY). 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 Lobbying is a form of advocacy, which lawfully attempts to directly influence legislators or government officials, such as regulatory agencies or judiciary. Lobbying involves direct, face-to-face contact and is carried out by various entities, in ...

to become president and CEO of EmblemHealth, effective September 1, 2015. Ignagni, who spent more than 20 years with AHIP, replaced Frank Branchini. 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. The partnership was also developed to support the city's goal of health care cost savings for city taxpayers. On March 25, 2016, EmblemHealth announced a two-year partnership agreement with

Northwell Health Northwell Health is a nonprofit integrated healthcare network that is New York State's largest healthcare provider and private employer, with more than 105,000 employees. The flagship hospitals of Northwell are North Shore University Hos ...

. In March 2020, EmblemHealth was named the winner of two Stevie Awards at the 14th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

Hospital management

''HIP'' owned LaGuardia Hospital from 1964 thru 1996. GHI owned Hillcrest General Hospital during a similar period.

References

{{reflist

External links

Official website

Who's Caring For You?

HIP Health Plan of New York

Financial services companies established in 2006 Medical and health organizations based in New York (state) Health maintenance organizations Companies based in New York City Health insurance companies of the United States 2006 establishments in New York City Organizations established in 2006