Charlotte Libov, a medical writer in Miami Beach, has always encouraged cancer patients to undergo treatment, if they can, at federally designated comprehensive cancer centers whose doctors are leaders in research and clinical trials and usually offer the latest treatments.
Now, Libov, who is in the midst of her own breast cancer battle, might not be able to follow her own advice. An ongoing contract dispute between the University of Miami Health System and UnitedHealthcare involving reimbursement rates could bar Libov and many other patients from accessing in-network care at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, South Florida’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.
“I’m feeling kind of trapped,” said Libov, who has written about cancer for over 25 years. Libov, 76, hasn’t slept well since finding out her doctors are at risk of leaving United’s network. “This is kind of my worst nightmare.”…