12/10/2025
Important Update on UnitedHealthcare Negotiations
We want to provide clarity on a letter patients received regarding insurance coverage by United Healthcare (UHC). SSM Health sent letters to UHC members with commercial health insurance or Medicaid coverage about ongoing contract negotiations and the possibility that our health providers and services provided at our facilities may be out of network for UHC members after December 31, 2025.
Insurers are responsible for communicating with their members when negotiations could result in a provider leaving the network. This notification is expected to happen as early as possible to allow members the time to explore other insurance coverage options to maintain continuity of care.
Unfortunately, UHC has not yet communicated this potential change to its members. Because your care and peace of mind are our top priorities, we want you to hear this directly from us. This is why we mailed out letters in November. For-profit insurers like UHC continue to raise member premiums, often by 7% to 10%, and increasingly deny claims for care that doctors determine medically necessary for their patients.
Meanwhile non-profit systems like SSM Health are not seeing these same increases from payers like UHC. In fact, we are not seeing an increase at all. This means while the cost of care is rising, and the needs of our patients increase, we continue to serve our patients despite this financial burden. Because it is the right thing to do.
If we continue this path, our ability to deliver safe, high-quality care to those who need us most will be impacted. We cannot allow UHC to limit our ability to deliver the care our patients and communities need.
We remain hopeful for a resolution with UHC to guarantee your access to SSM Health’s doctors, clinics, and hospitals and that they remain in network with UHC. If negotiations are not successful, SSM Health will be out of the UHC network until an agreement is reached.
Your voice matters. Please reach out to UHC directly and express your frustration in them getting between you and the care you need – and share your desire to keep SSM Health in-network. If your coverage is through your employer, speak with your HR or benefits department about your concerns if your medical insurance coverage and ask them to advocate on your behalf.
