Thousands of cancer patients—including many in Brooklyn—just lost access to in-network care at one of the top cancer hospitals in the country.
Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) is now officially out of network for people with UnitedHealthcare, after the two sides failed to agree on a new contract before the midnight deadline.
That means patients who rely on MSK for cancer treatment—especially at their two Brooklyn locations on Atlantic Avenue and Nostrand Avenue—could now face much higher medical bills or be forced to find care elsewhere.
Why Did This Happen?
It all comes down to money—and a contract that expired overnight. According to UnitedHealthcare, MSK is asking for a 30% price hike, which they say would raise health care costs by more than $400 million. The insurance company says it already pays MSK more than other top cancer centers, and that the increase just isn’t affordable for families, businesses, or employers who help cover insurance plans…