Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), a leading institution in cancer treatment and research, is set to lose its in-network status with UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, effective midnight July 1. The decision comes after prolonged contract negotiations between the two parties failed to result in a renewed agreement.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the breakdown in talks centers on reimbursement rates and coverage terms which could potentially impact thousands of patients relying on both MSK’s specialized care and UnitedHealthcare’s insurance network.
Should the separation proceed, patients covered by UnitedHealthcare may face significantly higher out-of-pocket costs for care at MSK unless emergency provisions or transitional care agreements are put into place. Both organizations have stated they are open to continued negotiations, but no resolution was reached as of the scheduled deadline.
MSK has urged patients to contact both the hospital and their insurance provider to discuss options and understand how the termination of the in-network agreement may affect their ongoing treatment plans. UnitedHealthcare, for its part, said it is working to ensure its members continue to have access to high-quality cancer care through other providers within its network.
The situation underscores a growing trend of contract disputes between major healthcare providers and insurance companies, often leaving patients caught in the middle as negotiations drag on past set deadlines.
Negotiations may resume in the near future, but for now, MSK will operate as an out-of-network provider for UnitedHealthcare members starting July 1.
Source: https:// – Courtesy of the original publisher.
