Johns Hopkins Medicine has concluded contract negotiations with UnitedHealthcare, resulting in the loss of in-network health insurance coverage for thousands of patients. A letter from Johns Hopkins, reviewed by The Baltimore Banner, indicates that the institution will not be resuming acceptance of UnitedHealthcare coverage, which affects over 60,000 patients in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
In light of this decision, Johns Hopkins leaders are advising patients to seek alternative care providers to avoid incurring higher out-of-pocket expenses associated with out-of-network services. A notification to patients is scheduled for Tuesday morning, following a communication to medical staff sent the previous evening.
For patients currently undergoing treatment for serious ongoing health conditions, UnitedHealthcare asserts that those who have pre-approved continuing coverage may still access in-network care for up to 90 days from the date of approval. However, a spokesperson from UnitedHealthcare did not provide comments when requested.
The breakdown in negotiations appears to stem from UnitedHealthcare’s assertion that Johns Hopkins sought contractual terms that could harm both employers and their insured members. In a previous statement, UnitedHealthcare stated, “Despite our repeated efforts to compromise, Johns Hopkins Medicine maintained its demands for contractual provisions that would harm employers as well as our members.”
Previously, Johns Hopkins had expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with UnitedHealthcare, stating that negotiations aimed to prioritize patient protections and improve access to care. They emphasized their commitment to resuming in-network status as promptly as possible.
As a result of this contract termination, patients will be required to shoulder the higher costs associated with out-of-network care should they choose to continue treatment at Johns Hopkins facilities. Notably, this change does not affect Hopkins facilities located in Florida, and those enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VACCN) will also remain unaffected.
Patients are encouraged to contact UnitedHealthcare directly for details regarding their coverage and to explore options for continuing care during this transition.
