March 31 deadline looms for agreement between Mercy Health, Cigna
Nearly 30,000 Cigna Commercial Insurance customers could no longer be covered for Mercy Health visits unless a deal is reached by the end of March.
According to a press release, Mercy Health has been in negotiations with Cigna for several months regarding their commercial health care plans, but the two parties have not been able to reach an agreement.
If an agreement is not reached by March 31, Mercy Health will no longer be in network with Cigna for their commercial health care plans.
Mercy Health patients who have Cigna as their insurance providers should be receiving letters this week notifying them of this possibility.
Mercy Health is accusing Cigna of not adequately paying its doctors, nurses and caregivers to account for the cost of providing quality care.
"By failing to offer a sustainable contract, Cigna may be putting your in-network access to the facilities and providers you know and trust at risk," the website reads.
According to Mercy Health's website, if your plan includes out-of-network benefits, you can still continue to see your Mercy Health providers, but you may need to pay more out of pocket.
A Cigna media spokesperson told 21 News, “It is disappointing that Bon Secours Mercy Health is choosing to leave our network on April 1. Bon Secours Mercy Health notified us of their intention to leave unless we agree to their significant rate increases across multiple markets. Unfortunately, these increases would make healthcare unaffordable for our customers and their families. We hope that Bon Secours Mercy Health will do what is right for the people we both serve in this community and continue working with us to reach an affordable agreement.”
If your plan does not include out-of-network benefits and you are receiving ongoing treatment or procedures scheduled after March 31, you can contact Cigna and ask for continuity of care.
Without a continuity of care authorization, you will be responsible for all costs for all procedures after March 31.
21 News will provide updates on these negotiations as we get them.
