Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey today reminded its members that Hoboken University Medical Center, effective today, is now out of Horizon BCBSNJ's hospital network. Hoboken UMC, owned by the for-profit CarePoint Health, joins CarePoint's other two hospitals – Bayonne Medical Center and Christ Hospital -- in choosing to leave Horizon BCBSNJ's network over the last 12 months. CarePoint notified Horizon earlier this year of their intent to terminate the Hoboken UMC contract. Bayonne Medical center ended their contract effective May 1, 2016 and Christ Hospital in Jersey City terminated on June 1, 2015.Horizon BCBSNJ serves more than 3.8 million members. The Horizon BCBSNJ hospital network currently includes 59 of the state's 64 hospitals.Horizon BCBSNJ members choosing Hoboken UMC after today will face higher out-of pocket costs. Horizon has been actively working to notify members and physicians with privileges at Hoboken UMC of the termination and encouraging them to use other area hospitals in the Horizon Hospital Network to maximize benefits and minimize out-of-pocket costs. Members can locate hospitals participating in the Horizon Hospital Network by using the Online Doctor & Hospital Finder.Out-of-network hospitals generally charge rates well above those agreed to by network hospitals and state law allows out-of-network hospitals to charge whatever they wish for their services. Since June 1, 2015, Christ Hospital has billed Horizon more than $68 million in out-of-network charges.Under state regulations, insured individuals receiving emergency care at an out-of-network hospital are only responsible for paying the amount they would owe if treated at a network hospital. Insurance companies generally must pay the balance. Some out-of-network providers take advantage of this regulation to steer patients through their ER's and charge substantially higher rates for services. These higher rates increase the cost of health insurance for everyone.About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New JerseyHorizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state's oldest and largest health insurer is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health service corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that reward the quality, not quantity, of care patients receive. Learn more at www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving more than 3.7 million members.