Contract negotiations between Cigna and UNC Health appear to be frozen. Photo: Ron Antonelli/Bloomberg via Getty Images
UNC Health said Tuesday that it's in a contract dispute with the health insurance company Cigna that could lead to the health system being out of network for Cigna customers.
Why it matters: If the two do not come to an agreement by Nov. 30, then more than 60,000 Cigna members who use UNC Health could become out of network, potentially forcing them to see a new doctor or provider, a UNC Health spokesperson told Axios.
Driving the news: On Tuesday, UNC Health said in a statement that Cigna is "not willing to engage in meaningful discussion or commit to patient care that UNC Health requires."
A spokesperson for UNC Health said that the health system is not satisfied with Cigna's reimbursement rates, its use of prior authorization and how often the insurer is denying coverage.
In response, Cigna said UNC Health's rate demands would increase costs for patients and employers.
"It is disappointing that UNC Health is making inaccurate claims and appears to be stoking fear with our shared patients as a negotiating tactic," Cigna said in a statement.
Between the lines: UNC Health has warned of potential disputes with insurers before, most recently with UnitedHealthcare, but has renewed contracts near the deadline.
But Cigna represents a smaller number of patients than insurers like Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare.
