Hartford HealthCare posted a letter to patients on its website this week informing those with coverage from UnitedHealthcare and its subsidiary, Oxford Health Plans, that they could face higher out-of-pocket expenses if the parties can’t come to terms on a new contract.
The current deal expires April 15, which is when Hartford HealthCare’s hospitals and ancillary facilities, physicians and medical professionals would be considered out of UnitedHealthcare’s provider network.
Both sides are haggling over rates and other issues.
“We have been working for months with United/Oxford and are disappointed that we have not yet been able to reach an agreement,” Hartford HealthCare said in a website post. “We are asking United/Oxford for rates that bring them closer to market levels and more in line with our other insurance partners.”
UnitedHealthcare and Hartford HealthCare went through a similar showdown two years ago.
If terms aren’t reached by April 15, “UnitedHealthcare’s commercial and Medicare Advantage members will be subject to higher out-of-pocket fees to use our services,” Hartford HealthCare’s announcement said.
“We hope it never comes to that,” Hartford HealthCare spokesman Shawn Mawhiney said of contract termination, adding that both sides remain focused on renewing their deal.
UnitedHealthcare sent a similar notice to its customers and Hartford HealthCare posted its own to ensure people know the situation, Mawhiney said.
In an emailed statement today, UnitedHealthcare said, “Our two organizations continue to meet regularly and our focus remains on renewing our relationship with Hartford HealthCare.”
