Memorial Sloan Kettering is warning patients it may soon be out of network for UnitedHealthcare members.
The cancer center and health insurance giant are in the process of negotiating a new network agreement, and, if they’re unable to reach a deal by June 30, patients will be out-of-network beginning July 1, according to a notice posted by MSK.
Under the 60-day “cooling policy” in place in New York, people enrolled in fully insured plans through UHC or its Oxford subsidiary will still have coverage for MSK’s hospital services through Aug. 31, the provider said.
MSK said it has “worked hard to reach a long-term agreement with UHC,” and the insurer rejected its proposal as well as “continuity of care” plans that would have kept a patient in connection with their medical team during their treatment.
“This would jeopardize access to world-class cancer care for millions of UHC-insured individuals and could immediately disrupt care for thousands of patients—including those in active treatment,” MSK said.
UnitedHealthcare countered in a notice that MSK is asking for a 30% price hike on average across its hospital, facilities and physician services. That includes a rate increase of 36% at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, UHC said.
The insurer said its goal at the negotiating table is to “provide health care that is affordable for people and employers.” It added that the contract hasn’t run out yet, and they’re still in negotiations.
“Our top priority is to reach an agreement with MSK that is affordable for consumers and employers,” Junior Harewood, UnitedHealthcare CEO for New York, said in a statement. “We have proposed substantial rate increases that would continue to reimburse MSK at levels significantly higher than other National Cancer Institute-designated health systems in the New York City metro area.”
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