DFS Approves HealthNow New York Inc.’s Affiliation with Highmark Subject to Conditions to Protect New Yorkers
The Department of Financial Services (DFS) announced Wednesday it has approved Highmark Inc. and Highmark Health’s application to affiliate with HealthNow New York Inc., a New York not-for-profit Article 43 organization (BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and BlueShield of Northeastern New York), following an extensive review of the application by DFS in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health. DFS approved the affiliation subject to a number of conditions to which Highmark and HealthNow have agreed, including employee protections and a $10 million commitment to improve racial and health inequities in Western New York and Northeastern New York.