Thousands of Marylanders are facing uncertainty about their health care access after negotiations between Johns Hopkins Medicine and UnitedHealthcare collapsed last week. The breakdown means that Johns Hopkins hospitals and doctors are now out of network for many patients covered by UnitedHealthcare insurance plans.
The dispute centers on reimbursement rates and contract terms, with both sides blaming the other for failing to reach an agreement. Johns Hopkins, one of the region’s largest health care providers, said UnitedHealthcare was unwilling to meet fair payment standards for services. UnitedHealthcare, meanwhile, argued it worked to keep coverage affordable and that Hopkins’ demands would increase costs for members.
For patients, the impasse creates immediate challenges. Johns Hopkins doctors, clinics, and hospitals, including Johns Hopkins Hospital, Bayview Medical Center, Howard County General, Suburban, and Sibley Memorial, are no longer considered in network. This could result in significantly higher out-of-pocket costs for appointments, procedures, and hospital stays…