Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Stony Brook Hospital on Long Island, N.Y., recently signed a new contract.

The multi-year agreement took effect Aug. 1 and allows Empire members to continue to have access to Stony Brook Hospital as in-network.

“We are pleased to extend the long-standing relationship we have with Stony Brook,” noted Mark Wagar, president and CEO of Empire BlueCross BlueShield.

Officials said Stony Brook University Hospital remains “in-network” and no action is required by Empire members to continue receiving services at their facilities.

Empire BlueCross BlueShield, the largest health insurer in New York based on PPO and HMO membership, is a subsidiary of WellPoint Inc.