Important Update Regarding NewYork-Presbyterian and Healthfirst

Healthfirst’s highest priority is ensuring our members have access to the quality care they need

In fall 2024, Healthfirst and NewYork-Presbyterian agreed to a multi-year contract that is in effect through 2027 and provides Healthfirst members in-network access to the NewYork-Presbyterian system and affiliated providers.

However, on July 7, 2025, NewYork-Presbyterian notified us of their decision to terminate our contract, without cause, effective November 3, 2025.

As a result, NewYork-Presbyterian and their affiliated physicians, including ColumbiaDoctors and Weill Cornell Medicine, are scheduled to be out-of-network effective November 3, 2025.

What This Means For You

Healthfirst members can continue to access in-network care at all NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals and with NewYork-Presbyterian affiliated providers through November 2, 2025. Because NewYork-Presbyterian has notified us of their decision to end our contract, starting November 3, the NewYork-Presbyterian hospital system and all affiliated healthcare providers are expected to no longer accept Healthfirst insurance.

We know that your relationship with your doctor is incredibly important. We are making every effort to reach a fair solution with NewYork-Presbyterian and we are actively working to prevent any disruption for Healthfirst members.

We Are Here to Support You:

  • Our member support line and teams are available to help answer any questions you and your family may have related to your care and coverage.
  • Affected members will receive a letter from Healthfirst explaining the situation, how to continue accessing quality care, and how to pick a new doctor in our expansive Healthfirst network.

Our Members Have Access To:

80+ in-network hospitals including some of the world’s best hospital systems and medical centers

40,000+ healthcare providers

Dedicated member support team you can reach at (866) 888-5283

Important Information for Impacted Members

  • Your Healthfirst benefits are not changing. Our team is here to help answer your questions and find care that’s right for you.
  • You can continue to receive care from NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals and affiliated doctors through November 2, 2025.
  • Beginning November 3, NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals and doctors are scheduled to be out-of-network for Healthfirst members. For all Healthfirst plans, out-of-network providers are generally not covered (except for Signature PPO). This means that if you go to a NewYork-Presbyterian provider or hospital on or after November 3, your Healthfirst insurance will not cover the cost of this care, unless it is an emergency or Healthfirst provides prior authorization.
  • Emergency care at NewYork-Presbyterian will continue to be covered by Healthfirst.
  • If you are receiving ongoing treatment that you expect will continue after November 2, please ask your NewYork-Presbyterian provider to request an authorization for continued care.
  • Healthfirst works with many top hospitals and doctors across New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley, including world-renowned hospital systems and medical centers where our members can get in-network care, so you’ll still have many excellent choices.

How to Reach Us

For Members:

Call (866) 888-5283 to reach our dedicated member support team or send an email to HFWhatToKnow@healthfirst.org. Please include the following information in your email:

  • First name
  • Last name
  • Member ID
  • Phone number

For help finding a new in-network doctor or hospital you can also visit MyHFNY.org or use the Healthfirst NY Mobile App.

For Media:

If you are a journalist, please contact pressinquiries@healthfirst.org.

Your Questions Answered

You can continue to get care at NewYork-Presbyterian through November 2, 2025. As of November 3, NewYork-Presbyterian is expected to be out-of-network for Healthfirst members.

Starting on November 3, 2025, you would need prior approval from Healthfirst before you can see NewYork-Presbyterian doctors or go to their hospitals. Emergency care at NewYork-Presbyterian will still be covered by Healthfirst.

We're here to help. Healthfirst will work with you to:

  • Help you find a new doctor who is in-network
  • Make sure any ongoing care you are receiving is transferred smoothly
  • Make sure you still get access to the care you need

If you have a Signature PPO plan, your out-of-network benefits would cover care at NewYork-Presbyterian as long as the doctor still participates in Original Medicare, but with higher out-of-pocket costs for certain services.

You can keep scheduled appointments with your specialist through November 2, 2025. If you are in ongoing treatment that you expect to continue after November 2, 2025, please ask your NewYork-Presbyterian provider to request an authorization for continued care after November 2.

You can also contact us directly at (866) 888-5283 for any assistance.

Yes, should NewYork-Presbyterian be out-of-network, we’re here to help you find a new doctor in your area who is in-network with Healthfirst and can meet your health needs. You can choose from over 40,000+ doctors and providers in the Healthfirst network.

To find your new doctor, you can:

Yes, if your surgery is scheduled on or before November 2, you can move forward as scheduled. If you are in ongoing treatment that you expect will continue after November 2, 2025, please ask your NewYork-Presbyterian provider to request an authorization for continued care after November 2. You can also contact us directly at (866) 888-5283 for assistance.

After November 2, members must receive an authorization from Healthfirst prior to receiving care from a NewYork-Presbyterian physician in order for this care to be covered, as NewYork-Presbyterian is expected to be out-of-network. This does not apply to Signature PPO members.

For Signature PPO plan members, there would be no change to member copays for care at NewYork-Presbyterian’s urgent care centers and emergency services. For other services, Signature PPO would cover care at NewYork-Presbyterian as an out-of-network benefit as long as the doctor participates in Original Medicare, but with higher out-of-pocket costs for certain services. This includes some preventive care services, PCP and specialist visits, inpatient hospital stays, and ambulatory surgery and outpatient services. Please check your Summary of Benefits and Explanation of Evidence of Coverage for specifics.

The NewYork-Presbyterian healthcare system includes the following hospitals and healthcare providers:

  • NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irvington Medical Center
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Payne Whitney
  • Westchester Behavioral Health Center
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Queens
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Brooklyn
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Queens
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Hudson Valley
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Westchester
  • Gracie Square Hospital
  • The Silvercrest Center
  • Rogosin Institute
  • Lawrence Community Health Services

Emergency care will continue to be covered.

ColumbiaDoctors, as well as Weill Cornell Medicine doctors, are affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian. As a result of NewYork-Presbyterian’s decision to leave Healthfirst’s network, these physicians who are affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian would no longer be part of our network, effective November 3, 2025.

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About Healthfirst

We believe all New Yorkers deserve access to high-quality, affordable, and equitable healthcare.

We put the health and well-being of our members first and foremost in everything we do.

We are a not-for-profit health plan serving New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley.

We are the highest-rated health plan for quality in our service area and have ranked at the top of Medicaid and Essential Plan quality ratings by New York State, and our main Medicare contract was rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the 2025 program year.

Our excellent care network includes more than 80 hospitals including world-renowned hospital systems and medical centers, and 40,000+ providers, including community physicians and FQHCs, across New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley.

To learn more, visit healthfirst.org.