Thousands of Westchester residents could start the New Year with a new doctor if the state?s largest insurer and four area hospitals fail to negotiate a new contract.Empire Blue Cross-Blue Shield is in talks with Northern Westchester Hospital, Lawrence Hospital, Phelps Memorial Hospital and White Plains Hospital. The company is negotiating terms for paying medical bills. Without the contract, patients covered by the insurer who opt to use the four hospitals will have to pay their own medical expenses.Recently, Empire Blue Cross-Blue Shield sent customers letters detailing changes that will take place in their health care coverage as of January 1. The letters state customers may have to go to new hospitals and doctors should the two sides fail to reach an agreement. The company is required by law to send the notices whenever a contract approaches expiration and no new contract has been signed.Both sides say they're optimistic about a settlement.Related Information: Hospital hotline: 1-800-233-3061 1-800-495-9323

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield hotline 1-800-495-9323 Empire BlueCross BlueShield