Mercy Health begins rescheduling Cigna patients before April 1 out of network deadline
As the deadline looms for Mercy Health and Cigna to strike a deal to keep patients in network, Mercy Health has began rescheduling appointments and procedures for patients covered by Cigna.
According to a press release from Mercy Health, Mercy is working with patients individually to reschedule April appointments and procedures as their schedules allow to avoid any care disruptions.
21 News first reported the ongoing negotiations between Cigna and Mercy Health in February of 2025. A statement from Mercy Health says the two parties have tried to reach a fair contract that reimburses the cost for patient care, but Cigna is not reimbursing the organization accordingly.
"Cigna's reimbursements - already substantially less than other payers - have not increased in key markets since 2019 and are overwhelmingly inadequate to account for the rising cost of providing health to the communities served by Mercy Health," the statement reads.
According to Mercy Health's statement, The American Hospital Association (AHA) and Kaufman Hall reported industry-wide cost increases over the past several years including 15.2% increases in prescription medication costs, more than 13% increases in supply costs and more than 5% increases in labor costs.
"While costs continued to rise, hospital prices increased just 2.6%, yet health insurance premiums rose 6.7%, according to the AHA. Denials and delays from insurance providers like Cigna are more and more prevalent, leading to significant administrative burdens for health care providers and significant delays in care for patients," the statement reads.
A statement found on Cigna's website acknowledges these cost increases but says Cigna wants to stay committed to being affordable for its customers and says the increases Mercy Health is asking for would significantly raise healthcare costs for customers.
"We recognize that Bon Secours Mercy Health, like many health care providers across the country, is facing labor shortages and other factors that contribute to cost pressures, but we have a responsibility to keep your health care affordable," the statement reads.
Cigna says it does want to maintain its relationship with Mercy Health but the two parties have not reached an agreement yet.
If an agreement is not reached by April 1, Cigna customers will no longer be in network with Mercy Health.
Certain conditions such as care for chronic or complex illness may be eligible for continuity of care that would provide approved patients with the opportunity to continue seeing their current care provider at in-network rates even if a deal is not reached.
Patients can work with their providers to request a continuity of care provision from Cigna, but Cigna will decide whether to approve or deny the request.
