WakeMed Cigna negotiations, 2-year contract inked

WakeMed and Cigna reach agreement on new 2-year contract, ensuring in-network access to high-value health care services.

WakeMed and Cigna have reached a new agreement after months of negotiations. The current contract was set to expire on January 1, 2024, but the new 2-year contract will start on that date. This contract ensures that WakeMed providers will be in-network for all Cigna commercial plans and Marketplace Exchange members.

The new contract provides Cigna members with access to WakeMed's network of health care services, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, PET Imaging, and specialty care physicians. WakeMed Primary Care providers remain in-network under a separate contract. The agreement aims to protect patient access to care and remove unfair burdens that had been placed on patients.

During negotiations, WakeMed sent out warning letters to inform patients that their insurance may not be accepted in the new year if a deal was not reached. This caused concern, especially for pregnant patients who were expecting to give birth in 2024. Unified Women's Healthcare is recommending that patients wait and not cancel future appointments while they work to request a plan to allow Cigna patients continuity of care through their delivery if negotiations fail.

The potential change is concerning for many residents of Wake County, not just pregnant individuals. People like Raleigh resident Mike Maul worry about having to drive farther away in an emergency situation or pay out-of-pocket premiums to continue seeing their current doctors. This change impacts the community and has left many feeling like pawns in the negotiations.

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