In response to concerns raised about St. Peter’s Health Partners contract termination/negotiations with UnitedHealthcare (UHC), PEF sought more information and has been notified by the state that the contract renewal negotiations between UHC, the Empire Plan’s Medical/Surgical Program administrator, and St. Peter’s Health Partners in the Capital District, are underway and will not impact NYSHIP Empire Plan members.
The current contract between UHC and St. Peter’s expired July 1, 2024. While the contract expiration means that St. Peter’s Health Systems will no longer be part of the UHC network of providers, there is a state mandated two-month cooling off period during which negotiations are expected to continue. This gives patients covered by UHC until Sept. 1, 2024, before having to contend with St. Peters’ termination.
PEF expects that Empire Plan members will not have to suffer the effects of the possible termination of St. Peter’s on September 1. UHC has asked St. Peter’s to exempt Empire Plan enrollees from the effects of any termination and continue to provide services to Empire Plan members on an in-network basis regardless of the status of contract negotiations and St. Peter’s has agreed.
A notice has been posted on the St. Peter’s Health Systems website that includes a statement about the exemption of Empire Plan members from having to obtain services there on an out-of-network basis.
The state has advised that a notice will be posted via NYSHIP Online soon. If you have questions or for more information, call 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) and press or say 1 for the Medical/Surgical Program.