One Medical informed its patients in New York that UnitedHealthcare coverage for providers in New York City may cease starting March 22. This is due to stalled contract negotiations between Mount Sinai and UnitedHealthcare, The New York Times reported March 14.
According to the Times, Mount Sinai wanted a better rate from United and urged the company to pay more for its physician visits and hospital stays, but United declined. So now, if no agreement is made by March 22, Mount Sinai’s hospitals will not be in network for patients who have UnitedHealthcare or Oxford insurance, even though they’re part of the same company.
One Medical is affiliated with Mount Sinai’s clinically integrated network and offers services in accordance with Mount Sinai’s agreements with insurers, therefore affecting their patients.
“Our members’ access to high-quality care is One Medical’s number one priority. We are deeply disappointed by this situation and the impact it may have on our members and providers, as well as patients of other Mount Sinai providers, and are exploring every avenue to limit disruption to our patients’ care,” a One Medical spokesperson told Becker’s.
United told the Times it is in discussion with Mount Sinai, stating it has “provided the health system with multiple proposals that include meaningful rate increases that ensure they’d continue to be reimbursed at market-competitive rates.”
Meanwhile, Brent Estes, senior vice president for Mount Sinai, told the publication that United “has offered us virtually nothing more than the prior contract.”
Mr. Estes said Mount Sinai is “bracing for our physicians to be out of network.”
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