St. Joseph Health System removed from United Healthcare network
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- On Tuesday, Saint Joseph Health System announced that after failed negotiations with insurance group United Healthcare, its services will no longer be included in the United network.
"Saint Joseph Health System has been working hard to reach a fair agreement with UnitedHealthcare that more appropriately covers the true cost of the care we provide to patients," health officials said. "Unfortunately, UnitedHealthcare has forced Saint Joseph Health System out of its network, effective July 1, 2024. This impacts patients who are covered by UnitedHealthcare commercial (employer-sponsored), Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid plans. UnitedHealthcare has disrupted your access to Saint Joseph Health System Hospital, facilities, and physicians."
Saint Joseph Health System claims that "the payment we receive from UnitedHealthcare does not appropriately cover the true cost of the care we provide."
United Healthcare says they hope to continue discussions with SJHS, but negotiations have stalled.
"Saint Joseph Health issued a notice to end our contract and maintained its demands for price hikes that are not affordable or sustainable for the people and employers we serve throughout Indiana," a spokesperson for United Healthcare said. "We compromised and proposed meaningful rate increases that would have ensured Saint Joseph Health continued to be reimbursed at market-competitive rates. While we remain committed to continued discussions with Saint Joseph, our top priority at this time is ensuring the people we serve have access to the care they need through either continuity of care or a smooth transition to a new provider.”
Some local hospitals that remain in their network include:
- Beacon Granger Hospital
- Unity Medical/Surgical Hospital
- Memorial Hospital of South Bend
- Elkhart General Hospital
- South Bend Clinic
For more information, patients should read Saint Joseph Health System's statement on the spilt on their website.