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Health Systems Face UHC Contract Deadline
26 Nov
Summary
- UnitedHealthcare contract talks with SSM Health and TriHealth are ongoing.
- Contracts expire December 31, 2025, potentially impacting patient networks.
- Disagreements over reimbursement rates and proposed price hikes fuel negotiations.
UnitedHealthcare is actively negotiating contracts with two major Midwestern health systems, SSM Health and TriHealth, as their current agreements are set to expire on December 31, 2025. The discussions primarily center on reimbursement rates, with significant disagreements over proposed price hikes by the health systems.
SSM Health, serving communities in Missouri and Illinois, is seeking a 14 percent price increase over two years, which UnitedHealthcare argues would burden local employers and taxpayers. Similarly, TriHealth in Ohio is proposing a 35 percent increase for commercial plans, which the insurer claims would cost consumers and employers an additional $94 million.
Failure to reach an agreement by the end of the year could lead to thousands of patients with UnitedHealthcare plans being considered out-of-network. Both health systems are urging patients to contact UnitedHealthcare to express their desire to remain in-network, emphasizing the potential for increased costs and reduced access to care.
