PROVIDENCE, R.I., Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) and Care New England (CNE) today announced that an agreement has been reached to extend CNE participation in the BCBSRI network until March 31, 2009. This means that BCBSRI members will continue to have access to CNE Hospitals and the CNE VNA as they currently do through March 31, 2009.

According to BCBSRI President and CEO James E. Purcell and CNE President and CEO John J. Hynes, "We hope today's announcement will calm concerns regarding this situation. We see the extension as an important step toward reaching a new agreement that will enable CNE to remain in the BCBSRI network for the long term, which has been the goal from the very beginning."

The two sides also pledged to continue their contract negotiations and expressed hope that they would settle a new agreement before December 31, 2008. Other details of the extension are not being disclosed by mutual agreement of the parties.

    Contact:
    Christopher J. Medici
    Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
    (401) 459-5283
    Chris.Medici@bcbsri.org

    May Kernan
    Care New England
    (401) 453-7997
    mkernan@carene.org

SOURCE Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island