UnitedHealthcare Contract Negotiation
If a new agreement is not reached, Bon Secours will be forced out of network for UnitedHealthcare members on Jan. 1, 2027, in South Carolina and Feb. 1, 2027, in Virginia.
Bon Secours relies on fair reimbursement from insurance companies to support access to care, invest in our communities and sustain high-quality services for patients. As part of our responsibility to protect access to care for our communities, Bon Secours is currently negotiating a new agreement with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) to adequately address the rising costs of providing care.
If an agreement is not reached before the applicable contract termination date, Bon Secours will be forced out of network for UnitedHealthcare members beginning January 1, 2027, in South Carolina and February 1, 2027, in Virginia.
While our current agreement with UnitedHealthcare remains in place and there is no change to your care or coverage today, we want to ensure you have advance notice about a situation that could affect your insurance network in the future.
What You Can Do
To better understand your options and ensure your continued access to Bon Secours care, consider taking the following steps:
Call UnitedHealthcare at the number on the back of your insurance card to ask how your coverage could be affected.
Talk with your employer or benefits representative if you receive UHC coverage through work.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, speak with your broker or plan representative about options for maintaining in-network access to Bon Secours doctors, hospitals and care sites.
Review Bon Secours’ accepted insurance plans and coverage options.
We continue to negotiate in good faith and remain focused on reaching an agreement that protects your access to Bon Secours doctors, hospitals and care teams while supporting our ability to provide safe, high-quality care throughout our communities.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is this happening?
Health systems and insurance companies regularly negotiate contracts that determine in-network access to care.
Like all health systems, Bon Secours relies on fair reimbursement from insurance companies to support access to care, invest in our communities and sustain high-quality services for patients.
Unfortunately, UnitedHealthcare’s current proposal does not adequately address the rising costs of providing care or longstanding administrative challenges, including claims denials.
We continue to negotiate in good faith and remain focused on reaching an agreement that protects patients' access to Bon Secours doctors, hospitals and care teams while supporting our ability to provide safe, high-quality care throughout the communities we serve.
Should I cancel or reschedule my current appointments?
No. For now, there is no change to your care, coverage or access to Bon Secours services. Patients should continue seeing their Bon Secours doctors and care teams and keep any scheduled appointments.
When does this happen?
Our current contracts with UnitedHealthcare end Dec. 31, 2026, in South Carolina and Jan. 31, 2027, in Virginia.
If an agreement is not reached before those dates, Bon Secours physicians, hospitals and care sites will become out-of-network for patients covered by UnitedHealthcare effective Jan. 1, 2027, in
South Carolina and Feb. 1, 2027, in Virginia. We are actively working toward a new agreement.
For now, there is no change to your care, coverage or access to Bon Secours services. Patients should continue seeing their Bon Secours doctors and care teams and keep any scheduled appointments.
Who does this impact?
Patients covered by UnitedHealthcare will be affected if a new agreement is not reached. This includes patients enrolled in UnitedHealthcare commercial, managed Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, VA Care Network and Exchange plans.
Emergency care remains available regardless of network status. Should Bon Secours become out-of-network with UHC, some patients receiving ongoing treatment for chronic or complex conditions may also qualify for Continuity of Care protections that allow them to continue seeing their Bon Secours care team at in-network benefit levels for a period of time.
What if I have an emergency after Bon Secours becomes out of network?
You will always have access to emergency care at Bon Secours. If you or a loved one is experiencing a medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency department or call 911. Emergency care remains available regardless of whether Bon Secours is in network.
What if I am managing a serious, chronic or complex condition?
Should Bon Secours become out-of-network with UHC, some patients receiving ongoing treatment for chronic or complex conditions may also qualify for Continuity of Care protections that allow them to continue seeing their Bon Secours care team at in-network benefit levels for a period of time.
UnitedHealthcare is responsible for reviewing Continuity of Care requests and determining eligibility. To help avoid disruption to your care, call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask how to apply.
When will this negotiation be resolved?
We understand how important it is to continue receiving care from the Bon Secours doctors, nurses and care teams you know and trust.
We are actively working toward a new agreement. We remain committed to reaching an agreement with UnitedHealthcare that protects patients' access to affordable, high-quality health care. We will continue to keep patients informed as discussions progress and are doing everything we can to avoid any disruption to care.
Who can I contact with questions?
Call the number on the back of your insurance card with questions. UnitedHealthcare can explain how your specific benefits plan may be affected if Bon Secours is forced out of network. You can also continue to check this page for updates.