Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Montefiore Health System announced Tuesday a multiyear agreement that features several new community outreach initiatives.

There are 180,000 people who are impacted by the new agreement. Montefiore representatives said the deal will boost targeted communities with nutritional programs and vans to increase testing and screening. Additionally, Medicaid Advantage Plus members will have more options at hospitals with in-network rates, pending state approval.

It’s still not clear how the new agreement will affect premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Montefiore says that will depend on the plan.

Meanwhile, 60,000 other Montefiore patients in our area are still in limbo since it does not have an agreement with United HealthCare – that lapse has gone on for more than a month.

Both sides have blamed the other for the stalemate. According to a conversation with Montefiore officials, a deal does not seem close to being made.