Worcester, Mass.-based UMass Memorial Health Care will no longer accept UniCare State Indemnity health insurance plans after July 1, when the contract between the two organizations expires, according to a Telegram report.
The healthcare system sent letters to about 6,000 state employees and retirees informing them of the change. UMass wrote in the letter that after "two years of difficult negotiations" a new agreement hadn't been reached.
The letter stated those with UniCare will not be able to schedule appointments with UMass-affiliated physicians after July 1. Dolores Mitchell, executive director of the Group Insurance Commission, said that is "tantamount to patient abandonment."
The letter indicated exceptions would be made for patients with terminal illnesses, parents in their second or third trimester of pregnancy and those requiring emergency services, as required by law.
Tony Berry, a UMass spokesman, released a statement saying, "The decision to terminate the relationship with UniCare was not made lightly, but after nearly two years of good faith negotiations. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our patients, whose well-being is our primary concern," according to the report.