UMass Memorial Health Care patients with UnitedHealthcare insurance may face higher out-of-pocket costs if the insurer and the Worcester, Mass.-based health system can't agree on a new contract, according to the Telegram.
UMass Memorial's contract with Cigna for Medicare Advantage members is slated to expire Dec. 31. UMass Memorial providers treat about 820 Medicare Advantage members with UnitedHealthcare coverage.
Reimbursement rates are central to the disagreement. UMass Memorial had argued it can't accept UnitedHealthcare's rates because they aren't in line with what other regional Medicare Advantage plans pay. UnitedHealthcare, on the other hand, said UMass Memorial is refusing to accept traditional Medicare rates or undergo a quality review, which is derailing the talks, according to the report.
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