New York City-based Mount Sinai Health System is no longer accepting some new patients with government-backed health coverage, according to since-removed notices on its website.
An archived webpage shows how Mount Sinai stopped accepting new patients with Centene’s Fidelis Care Medicaid, exchange and Medicare Advantage coverage, as well as Wellcare Medicare Advantage coverage, as of Aug. 1. The same applied to new patients with EmblemHealth Medicaid. The update also applied to new patients who have Fidelis and EmblemHealth’s Essential Plans, Health and Recovery Plans and Child Health Plus offerings, all New York health programs.
Following an inquiry from Politico, the health system cleared the notices from its website. In an Aug. 19 statement shared with Becker’s, Mount Sinai said the updates only affect new patients with these plans, not current ones already receiving care from a provider in the health system. Some exceptions will be made for new transplant, obstetrics and pediatric patients.
“Like health systems across New York, we regularly review our participation in health plans and make adjustments based on a range of factors, including the terms of our agreements with insurers and our ability to sustain access to care for our patients,” the statement said. “Mount Sinai is committed to ensuring that our patients have access to high-quality care while also maintaining the resources necessary to serve our communities.”
Politico reported that new patients would be determined based on whether they had seen a Mount Sinai provider since July 31, 2025, according to an internal memo reviewed by the publication.
EmblemHealth said the insurer is in contract negotiations with Mount Sinai and currently has a contract with the system until Jan. 1. The payer said a move away from accepting new patients — and selectively opting out of new Medicaid patients, in particular — is not permitted. EmblemHealth had not been aware of the update until a news reporter reached out.
Fidelis told Becker’s that Mount Sinai is in Fidelis’ network and also maintains active contracts.
“We remain focused on ensuring our members have access to high-quality care across the communities we serve,” the health plan said.
The New York State Nurses Association urged Mount Sinai to clarify and reconsider the policy.
“Mount Sinai has a responsibility to serve all patients. As one of the wealthiest systems in New York, Mount Sinai can afford to serve all patients, rather than forcing some patients to seek care at struggling hospitals that already serve a disproportionate number of vulnerable patients,” an Aug. 19 statement said. “Hospitals should never withhold care or use patients as bargaining chips in negotiations with insurance companies.”
Becker’s contacted Wellcare and will update this story if more information becomes available.
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