Johns Hopkins Terminates Contract Talks with UnitedHealthcare
Johns Hopkins Medicine has officially ended its contract negotiations with UnitedHealthcare after a prolonged eight-month stalemate. The Baltimore-based health care provider announced this decision on Monday, highlighting the lack of agreement as detrimental to patient care.
According to a statement from Kim Hoppe, Vice President of Public Relations for Johns Hopkins Medicine, the discussions faltered mainly due to disagreements over contract language. In August 2023, Johns Hopkins ceased accepting in-network insurance from UnitedHealthcare, impacting nearly 60,000 patients across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. This disruption has raised concerns about the continuity of care for those affected.
Hoppe emphasized that UnitedHealthcare’s refusal to agree to reasonable contract terms created barriers to providing effective patient care. “UnitedHealthcare had the opportunity to listen to our concerns in a meaningful way and prioritize what matters most: ensuring patients get the care they need, when they need it, without excessive delays or denials,” she stated.
The main points of contention involved authorization requirements and treatment denials, which Johns Hopkins deemed unreasonable. Hoppe remarked, “Unfortunately, they chose profits over patients,” indicating that the health organization aims to inform patients about the stalemate promptly so they can explore alternative insurance options during the upcoming open enrollment period.
In response to the situation, UnitedHealthcare has defended its practices, asserting that it approves and pays for 90% of claims shortly after submission, with the remaining claims undergoing additional reviews. Joseph Ochipinti, UnitedHealthcare’s CEO for the Mid-Atlantic region, previously stated in August that Johns Hopkins’ demands included “unfair contract terms” that no other health system in their network requires.
He further noted, “Our top priority now is providing people with the care they need through continuity of care or a smooth transition to another provider, as appropriate.”
As the negotiations have now officially ceased, both organizations face the challenge of navigating the implications of this breakdown. Patients who rely on these services will need to consider their options as they prepare for the impending open enrollment season. The outcome of this situation underscores the ongoing complexities of healthcare negotiations and their direct impact on patient care and access to services.
