PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - The new deal between UPMC and Highmark is a victory for patients that could set a new precedent for choice in health care.
The 10 year deal not only puts to bed years of tension and debate between the two health care giants, it also gives customers of both insurers, the best of both worlds.
"This is a precedent, a model for the rest of the state," said Wolf. "Everybody's going to go through this kind of consolidation. Western Pennsylvania just went through it first."
Wolf says while the lawsuit brought by Shapiro was a primary force to get UPMC and Highmark to work with each other, there was more at play to get them together.
"We're all so used to watching them fight," said Shapiro. "I think this is a new day and watching them work together is going to be really positive."
The new agreement is for ten years and gives continued access to UPMC facilities and doctors to Highmark-insured patients.
Shapiro says he wanted a 10 year deal, not another five year agreement, due to the history of tension between the two insurers.
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