Contract between Ascension Wisconsin, UnitedHealthcare ends

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11:35 a.m. to add comments from UnitedHealthcare. 

Ascension Wisconsin is no longer in UnitedHealthcare’s network after the two failed to reach an agreement on a new contract.

As of Wednesday, Ascension hospitals, outpatient facilities, physician practices and associated practices of Ascension Medical Group are out of network for the insurer’s commercial, Medicare and Medicaid members.

An Ascension spokesperson said reimbursement rates proposed by UnitedHealthcare did “not adequately account for the significant financial pressures facing healthcare providers.”

“We must ensure we have the resources necessary to maintain and advance the high standards of care our patients expect and deserve,” they said.

Ascension remains open to resuming discussions, they added.

Dustin Hinton, UnitedHealthcare CEO for Wisconsin, said that Ascension declined its latest proposal, which offered market-competitive rates. The insurer also proposed extending current contracts to continue discussions. 

“Ascension refused, choosing to disrupt network access for Wisconsin families while maintaining its demands for unsustainable price hikes that would increase healthcare costs for consumers and employers,” he said in a statement. 

The insurer is committed to talking with Ascension, but is focusing on care access, he added.

Members with active or ongoing treatment for serious and complex conditions, like pregnant women or those newly diagnosed with cancer, are still eligible to receive care with Ascension for a period of time at in-network costs. 

The negotiation did not affect Optum Behavioral Health, which will remain in network with Ascension.

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