One Medical patients are stuck in the middle of a fight between a hospital system and the biggest US health insurer
Mar 14, 2024, 04:32 IST
- UnitedHealthcare and Mount Sinai have been fighting over payments for months.
- One Medical patients in New York could be affected since the company partners with Mount Sinai.
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Some One Medical patients may soon lose affordable access to their doctors because of an ongoing clash between a preeminent New York hospital system and the country's biggest health insurer.For months, Mount Sinai Health System and UnitedHealthcare have been fighting over payments. Mount Sinai wants more money for its services, and UnitedHealthcare refuses to increase its rates.Mount Sinai ended its contract with the insurer, so UnitedHealthcare members can no longer get care at its hospitals without paying higher costs. By the end of the month, members won't be able to see Mount Sinai doctors either.On March 12, One Medical, the primary care company owned by Amazon, told patients that its providers in New York City may no longer be covered by UnitedHealthcare starting March 22. If that happens, patients with that insurance who continue to see their One Medical providers would be on the hook for bigger bills.One Medical said in an email to patients that it's opening up availability so affected members can schedule appointments before they lose access."Our members' access to high-quality care is our No. 1 priority. We are deeply disappointed by this situation and are exploring every avenue to limit disruption to your care," One Medical said in the email reviewed by Business Insider.A One Medical spokesperson reiterated that message in an emailed statement. One Medical is affected by the dispute because it's part of Mount Sinai's clinically integrated network and provides services consistent with Mount Sinai's contracts with insurers, the company said.A UnitedHealthcare spokesperson said about half of One Medical's providers will remain in the insurer's network beyond March 22 because they have admitting privileges to another in-network hospital. UnitedHealthcare members will be able to continue seeing those providers for in-network care, he said.