After months of tense negotiations, Mount Sinai Health System and UnitedHealthcare have finally reached a deal that will keep Mount Sinai’s hospitals and doctors in-network for thousands of New Yorkers. The agreement, announced just days before Mount Sinai-affiliated doctors were set to be removed from UnitedHealthcare’s network, will provide continued access to quality healthcare for those enrolled in employer-sponsored and individual plans, including the Oxford Health Plan.
This stalemate had caused significant stress for many patients who were facing the prospect of having to find new doctors or pay out-of-network prices. The agreement comes as a relief for New Yorkers who rely on Mount Sinai for their healthcare needs, particularly cancer patients and pregnant women who had planned to deliver at Mount Sinai hospitals. The negotiations were particularly contentious due to new laws requiring hospitals to disclose more information about rates, with Mount Sinai pushing for higher reimbursement rates from UnitedHealthcare.
In a message to employees, Mount Sinai officials hailed the agreement as a major victory, emphasizing that they were simply seeking fair compensation for the excellent care provided by their physicians and hospitals. The new multiyear contract not only ensures continued access to Mount Sinai’s healthcare services but also addresses concerns about denial rates and reimbursement rates that were perceived as unfair. This resolution provides much-needed stability for patients and healthcare providers alike.