We’re so grateful for the relationship you’ve allowed us to develop with you and your family over years.
We want to ensure we can continue that relationship and offer you and your family the high-quality care you expect and deserve.
That relationship may be at risk, which is why we are sharing an important update regarding current negotiations with United Healthcare that may affect you or your loved ones.
WHAT IS HAPPENING:
We are in active negotiations with United Healthcare in South Carolina.Our current negotiations may impact all Bon Secours providers and Bon Secours facilities in South Carolina, including all buildings on St. Francis Hospital campus, physician practices throughout the state, as well as Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) and Urgent Cares Centers.
If we do not reach an agreement before July 1, Bon Secours may be considered an out-of-network provider for you.
WHO DOES THIS IMPACT:
Patients with one of the following United Healthcare insurance plans in South Carolina:
- Commercial (employer-sponsored)
- Medicare Advantage
- Exchange (aka Marketplace/ACA)
- The Veteran’s Affairs Community Care Network (VACCN)
**This does not impact Roper St. Francis Healthcare providers or facilities.
Below is a guide of specific contract termination dates, depending on the contract type, for impacted providers, services, and facilities:
| Commercial (employer-sponsored) |
Medicare Advantage |
Exchange (aka Marketplace/ACA) | The Veteran’s Affairs Community Care Network (VACCN) |
|
| Your Bon Secours Doctors | July 1, 2025 |
July 1, 2025 |
July 1, 2026 |
|
| All St. Francis Hospital Campus Facilities |
July 1, 2025 |
Oct. 1, 2025 |
Jan. 1, 2026 |
July 1, 2025 |
| Bon Secours Lab Services |
Sept. 15, 2025 |
Sept. 15, 2025 |
Jan. 1, 2026 |
|
| Bon Secours Diagnostic Imaging |
Feb. 15, 2026 |
Feb. 15, 2026 |
Jan. 1, 2026 |
Feb. 15, 2026 |
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU:
Call United Healthcare at the number on the back of your insurance card to understand if you have out-of-network benefits.
If your plan allows you to see out-of-network providers, this means you can continue to see your care team on or after July 1 – but at a higher out-of-pocket cost.
If your plan doesn’t allow you to see out-of-network providers, this means we won’t be able to schedule appointments or procedures for you on or after July 1, unless we reach agreement beforehand.
Continuity of Care Information
You can find the form to apply for Continuity of Care here. The form requires your Bon Secours provider’s signature. After you submit the form, United Healthcare alone will decide whether to approve or deny your request.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING:
Health care is constantly evolving, and so are we. As a non-profit health system, we are working hard to address rising costs to ensure that our hospitals can serve communities in need, particularly those who are poor, dying, and underserved, for generations to come.
What United pays our doctors, nurses and caregivers is not equitable. Their current reimbursement rates are overwhelmingly inadequate to account for the cost of providing you access to safe, quality care.
We need all of our payer partners to do their part. By failing to offer a sustainable contract, United may be putting your in-network access to the Bon Secours facilities and providers you know and trust at risk.
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE:
If you have commercial (employer-sponsored) insurance:
- Talk to the HR department at your employer and ask them to explore their options. Bon Secours remains in-network with all other major commercial (employer-sponsored) health plans in South Carolina.
- Call United Healthcare at the number at the back of your insurance card and tell them how important it is for you to keep your uninterrupted in-network access to Bon Secours.
If you are a Medicare Advantage patient:
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment begins October 15. Call your broker or call the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) at 1-800-633-4227 to explore your options. Your broker can help you choose a plan that keeps your Bon Secours providers in-network. Bon Secours remains in-network with all other major Medicare Advantage plans in South Carolina.
- Call United Healthcare at the number at the back of your insurance card and tell them how important it is for you to keep your uninterrupted in-network access to Bon Secours.
If you are an Exchange (Marketplace/ACA) patient:
- Exchange (Marketplace/ACA) Open Enrollment begins November 15. Explore your options on www.healthcare.gov. If you enroll in a new plan by December 15, your plan will go into effect on January 1, 2026.
- Call United Healthcare at the number at the back of your insurance card and tell them how important it is for you to keep your uninterrupted in-network access to Bon Secours.
If you are a veteran:
Call Optum VACCN to get a referral to another VACCN provider. With any questions, you can visit this VA website: www.va.gov/resources/about-our-va-community-care-network-and-covered-services/
We promise to continue doing our part and work hard to reach an agreement with United on behalf of our patients and the communities we serve – so nothing comes between you and the caregivers you rely on.