A contract settlement brings relief for thousands of Empire Blue Cross-Blue Shield subscribers in Westchester. They will now be able to continue to access services at several hospitals in the county.

The talks with the health insurer and Stellaris Health Network, which includes Northern Westchester Hospital, Lawrence Hospital, Phelps Memorial Hospital and White Plains Hospital, went down to the wire. Reimbursement rates to the hospitals were at the heart of the contract dispute. It threatened to cut off Empire customers from their doctors in the Stellaris hospitals and make them pay out of pocket.

The terms of the agreement have not been released, but the new contract goes into effect on New Year?s Day.Related Information Health insurer prepares to yank coverage from thousands of WC residents