Important Update for UnitedHealthcare Members

• Right now, nothing has changed.
• The termination comes into effect only after the 90-day period for Medicare Advantage and 180-day period for Commercial has ended and if LVHN and United have not yet reached an agreement.

Our decision to serve a notice of termination to United informed United that we will be terminating our relationship with them in 90 days for Medicare Advantage and in 180 days for Commercial. Until the termination is effective on January 25, 2026 for Medicare Advantage patients and on April 25, 2026 for Commercial patients, United members will be treated as in-network at LVHN. After termination, individuals currently covered by United will eventually no longer be able to get care in-network at LVHN, though they will have the option to continue their care at LVHN on an out-of-network basis if their plan offers out-of-network benefits or by paying out of pocket. Patient responsibility amounts are often higher when care is accessed out-of-network.

The terms out-of-network and in-network have to do with whether your doctor, hospital, or in this case, health network, has a contract with your health insurance plan. When your medical provider is contracted with your health insurance plan, you can say they are in-network. On the other hand, if they are not contracted with your plan, they are out-of-network. It does not necessarily mean that you can’t receive services from them, only that you will have to pay out of pocket for them or access the services using your plan’s out-of-network benefit (if your plan offers it).

Secondary coverage is not likely to be impacted, but please contact United for clarification.

LVHN hospitals will be considered out-of-network for patients with United insurance if the 90-day period for Medicare Advantage and 180-day period for Commercial passes after the notice of termination has been received by United and United does not work with LVHN to resolve the situation. However, rest assured that United is obliged to cover emergency room visits to LVHN even if LVHN is no longer in network.

• Patients’ coverage will not be impacted until January 25, 2026 for Medicare Advantage patients and April 25, 2026 for Commercial patients, and we recommend that you keep your scheduled treatments and appointments at LVHN for the time being.
• You will have the option to continue your plans for care at LVHN on an out-of-network basis if your plan offers out-of-network benefits or by paying out of pocket. Patient responsibility amounts are often higher when care is accessed out-of-network.
• It will be up to United as a health insurance company whether they will make coverage exceptions for patients receiving certain types of medical care or who are in certain medical situations. United may allow patients in certain medical situations an extended period of time for in-network care from LVHN. This is called “continuity of care” and is determined by health insurance companies. If you are currently receiving care at LVHN or have care scheduled with an LVHN doctor or nurse, call United to see if they will continue to cover your care even if LVHN is out of United’s network after January 25, 2026 for Medicare Advantage patients and April 25, 2026 for Commercial patients.
• If you have questions about whether you will be able to see your LVHN primary care doctor after January 25, 2026 for Medicare Advantage patients and April 25, 2026 for Commercial patients , please contact United directly at the customer service number located on the back of your health insurance card. Patients impacted by this pending coverage change are our top priority in this process, and we are here to help you.

• Once the termination goes into effect on January 25, 2026 for Medicare Advantage patients and April 25, 2026 for Commercial patients , individuals currently covered by United will no longer be able to get care in-network at LVHN. However, patients will have the option to continue their care at LVHN on an out-of-network basis if their plan offers out-of-network benefits or by paying out of pocket. Patient responsibility amounts are often higher when care is accessed out-of-network, but exact costs depend on the care provided.
• The terms out-of-network and in-network have to do with whether your doctor, hospital, or in this case, health network, has a contract with your health insurance plan. When your medical provider is contracted with your health insurance plan, you can say they are in-network. On the other hand, if they are not contracted with your plan, they are out-of-network. It does not necessarily mean that you can’t receive services from them, only that you will have to pay out of pocket for them or access the services using your plan’s out-of-network benefit (if your plan offers it).
• Nothing will change until January 25, 2026 for Medicare Advantage patients and April 25, 2026 for Commercial patients, and we recommend that you keep your scheduled treatments and appointments at LVHN in the meantime.

Most UnitedHealthcare Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans will not be affected by the termination. These plans work as secondary coverage to traditional Medicare (Parts A and B). Just like traditional Medicare, Medigap does not require a separate contract or participation agreement with UHC. Generally ,as long as the provider or facility is enrolled and participating with Medicare, they can accept patients with a UHC Medigap plan. The claim is processed through Medicare first, and UHC automatically pays the patient’s Medicare cost share (deductibles, coinsurance, copays) based on the Medicare payment determination. There are a few supplemental plans that require network participation. These plans are identified on the Member’s card as UHC Medicare Supplement Select. United’s customer service team is your best point of contact for understanding the specifics of your benefits. You can reach United by calling the customer service number on the back of your insurance card to learn more about your particular plan.

You can contact United Healthcare directly at the customer service number located on the back of your health insurance card.