What You Need to Know
HCA Midwest Health hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers may no longer be participating providers in the Cigna commercial or Medicare Advantage networks if a new contract isn’t reached before an upcoming expiration date. The commercial and Medicare contracts have been extended to May 24.
The management teams of HCA Midwest Health hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers are working diligently to prevent this from happening. We are actively negotiating in good faith to reach an agreement with Cigna. Our goal is to reach a compromise with Cigna so you and your family can continue to have convenient access to the quality healthcare services available at HCA Midwest Health hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and other sites of care throughout Kansas City.
In the event a compromise cannot be reached by May 24 our facilities will no longer be part of the Cigna provider network. This means that as a Cigna member, effective May 24, you may either not have coverage for non-emergency medical services at our facilities, or you may be required to pay higher out-of-network co-pays and deductibles for those services.
Patients may still be able to receive in-network coverage from Cigna in certain circ*mstances, including:
- Treatments previously authorized by Cigna
- Prenatal care, delivery and postpartum care past 24 weeks
- Treatment of terminal illness
- Treatment of a disability or acute condition if the treating physician believes not continuing care at our hospital could cause harm.
Whether or not we are able to reach an agreement with Cigna, all patients, including those with Cigna insurance, are able to receive emergency services at our hospitals without having to use out-of-network benefits.
Committed to the care and improvement of human life, HCA Midwest Health is the Kansas City region's largest and most comprehensive healthcare provider, with eight hospitals, eight ambulatory surgery centers, three emergency care hospitals, 13 CareNow Urgent Care Centers and more than 70 HCA Midwest Physician practices – more than 200 access points to our care across the region. Our facilities are in-network with major managed care insurers/networks.
For information about your coverage for services at our facilities, please call the telephone number located on the back of your Cigna insurance card. By removing HCA Midwest Health from their network, Cigna is significantly reducing the value of their insurance to its members. For that reason, you are encouraged to contact Cigna, advise them that it is important to you that HCA Midwest Health remain in-network and encourage them to come to an amicable agreement with HCA Midwest Health.
Frequently Asked Questions
I received a letter about my Cigna health insurance. What does this mean for me?
Thanks to a recent extension, on May 24 our commercial and Medicare contracts with Cigna will expire, unless new agreements are reached before that time. While we are negotiating in good faith, if new agreements are not reached, as of May 24, our facilities will no longer be part of the commercial Cigna provider networks. This means that patients with Cigna insurance may either not have coverage for non-emergency medical services at our facilities, or Cigna may require them to pay higher out-of-network co-pays and deductibles for those services.
Will my family and I have access to your hospitals’ emergency services?
Yes. Regardless of what happens with the Cigna negotiations, everyone with Cigna insurance still has access to our facilities for emergency services. Our facilities, physicians, nurses and teams are here for anyone who needs help in an emergency.
What will happen if an agreement is not reached?
If agreement is not reached, our facilities will no longer be part of the Cigna provider networks. This means that patients with Cigna insurance may either not have coverage for non-emergency medical services at our facilities, or Cigna may require them to pay higher out-of-network co-pays and deductibles for those services. Emergency care is available regardless of insurance plans. While Cigna represents a portion of the total admissions to our hospitals, we continue to contract with all other major managed care insurers/networks in the area. Our primary concern is that members of our community have access to quality healthcare.
Is this just about money and profits?
No. We want to continue our relationship with Cigna, but it is critical that we are able to agree upon a reasonable contract that allows us to continue to provide quality healthcare.
Will I have to change doctors?
You will need to contact your physician’s office directly to determine that.
I’m already preregistered to deliver my baby at your hospital in May. Can I still go there?
If you have Cigna insurance, the delivery of your baby should be covered at an HCA Midwest Health facility if you are at least 24 weeks pregnant when the contract expires.
I am undergoing chemotherapy/breast reconstruction surgery/any multi-phase treatment at your hospital. Will I still be able to continue my treatment at your hospital?
As far as we know, you will be able to continue treatment you have already started this year at our hospital that was previously authorized by Cigna. We recommend contacting your Cigna plan directly to find out if we can continue to provide the next phases of your treatment planned for after the expiration of the contract, should a new agreement not be reached.
Will ambulatory surgery centers be in-network?
No. If a new agreement is not reached, as of May 24, our HCA Midwest Health ambulatory surgery centers will no longer be part of the Cigna provider networks.
Is Medicare Advantage impacted by this contract negotiation?
Yes. Our Medicare Advantage contract with Cigna is part of this negotiation and is impacted by these decisions. That contract will expire May 24, unless a new contract is reached.
Insurance Coverage
HCA Midwest Health’s hospitals are in-network with a number of major insurance providers. You can view the full list here.
