1+ hour, 6+ min ago (312+ words) More than 4,000 people who have appointments scheduled with UNC Health in December are scrambling. The patients have Cigna health insurance, and their insurer's'contract expired this week'with UNC Health. Cigna members who use UNC Health systems will need to find a new provider, or pay much higher, out-of-network prices, or choose to pay out of pocket entirely. UNC Health provided a statement about its negotiations with Cigna. WRAL News has gotten questions from viewers who are worried about when insurance contracts expire for their health care providers. A viewer asked WRAL News how to find out when insurance companies" contracts with health care companies are renewed.' The companies do not make it easy to find out'when those contracts expire. In March 2024,'UnitedHealthcare'reached a long-term deal with UNC Health and Duke Health. "While our contract has not been extended, and WakeMed is…...

1+ day, 9+ hour ago (424+ words) UNC Health released a statement saying it has been "unable'to reach a new, fair agreement with Cigna." The current contract between the two companies ended on Sunday night.' "We urge patients to consider other insurance options if possible, and to contact Cigna by calling the number on the back of their member ID card," UNC Health said.' Cigna released a statement on Monday saying that it has offered to extend the current contract with UNC.' "Our goal is to keep UNC Health in network, and we have offered to extend our current contract. We remain engaged in discussions with a goal of reaching a fair agreement for our customers and their families." WRAL began reporting on the negotiations earlier this year. In July, UNC Health told WRAL, "Unfortunately, Cigna is not willing to engage in meaningful discussion or commit to…...

6+ day, 4+ hour ago (414+ words) UNC Health and Cigna are continuing negotiations for a new contract into the holiday weekend. The current agreement ends Sunday, Nov. 30. UNC health tells WRAL, its continuing efforts to reach a new, fair agreement with Cigna. "Unfortunately, progress has been difficult," UNC Health said in a statement. "It's increasingly likely that as of Dec. 1, UNC Health hospitals, clinics and providers will be 'out of network' for Cigna members. That will mean higher costs and disruptions for Cigna patients." WRAL began reporting on the negotiations earlier this year. In July, UNC Health told WRAL, "Unfortunately, Cigna is not willing to engage in meaningful discussion or commit to patient care that UNC Health requires." "All along, we've been negotiating with Cigna on a new agreement that's consistent with our relationships with other insurance plans and supports the high-quality care that patients deserve....

2+ week, 3+ day ago (240+ words) On Saturday, UnitedHealthcare officials told WRAL News that WakeMed's facilities and specialty providers will be out of network for members enrolled in commercial and Medicare Advantage plans, effective Nov. 15, 2025. According to UnitedHealthcare officials, this change will impact employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans, as well as Medicare Advantage plans, including Group Retiree and Dual Special Needs Plan (DSNP). The negotiation will not impact primary care physicians employed by WakeMed, who will remain in network, officials said. WakeMed officials announced on Tuesday that they would no longer cover Medicare Advantage plans unless a deal was reached. "With the rising supply, equipment, and labor costs, UHC's proposal with no reimbursement increase to keep pace with inflation for the next four years is not only unacceptable but impossible," the statement read in part. Officials with WakeMed told WRAL News they were hopeful an agreement…...

3+ week, 9+ hour ago (337+ words) WakeMed announced on Tuesday that UnitedHealthcare will no longer cover Medicare Advantage plans starting Saturday, Nov. 15th, unless a deal is reached. The two organizations are in the middle of negotiations, both with the contracts set to expire on Saturday. Officials with UnitedHealthcare told WRAL News they are focused on reaching an agreement that is affordable for people and employers. "WakeMed is demanding a near 40% price hike, including a 30% rate increase in just the first year of our contract that would make it the most expensive health system in the Raleigh market. WakeMed's proposal would increase health care costs for North Carolinians and employers by more than $94 million over two years," the statement read in part. UnitedHealthcare officials said they are proposing a "meaningful rate increases that continue to reimburse WakeMed at market-competitive rate." Officials with WakeMed told WRAL News they…...

3+ week, 13+ hour ago (660+ words) The desperation for food and the frustration at airports have driven calls to end the federal government shutdown. When the shutdown ends, people will get their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] benefits, and airlines will get back on track. However, it's unclear whether the deal to end the shutdown will include an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act [ACA] subsidies, which help millions of Americans afford insurance. The ACA subsidies are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress acts to extend them. It means millions of Americans will face sharply higher health insurance premiums starting in 2026. Health care premiums for Affordable Care Act plans offered through the insurance marketplace in North Carolina will rise by an average of nearly 30%. Nearly 1 million people in North Carolina will'pay more for ACA premiums in 2026, a figure that has increased over the…...

3+ week, 2+ day ago (259+ words) The Better Business Bureau is warning people about scams involving open enrollment for Medicare and Healthcare.gov." The scam involves"unsolicited calls or messages claiming to "help" you find the best deal. Open enrollment for Medicare"runs through Dec. 7."Medicare Advantage open enrollment"is from Jan. 1 to March 31 or within three months of getting Medicare." Heathcare.gov open enrollment runs through Dec. 15 for coverage starting Jan. 1. Jan. 15 is the last day to enroll for coverage starting Feb. 1." Tips to avoid open enrollment scams BBB says to be on the lookout for common red flags. Be wary of anyone who contacts you out of the blue."Healthcare.gov"and Medicare provide"legitimate help for determining which plan"is right for you. These people " sometimes called Navigators or Assisters " cannot charge for their support. If someone asks you for payment, it's a…...

1+ mon, 4+ day ago (537+ words) Just days before open enrollment ends for the State Health Plan, some school districts across the state are still making changes to how much it might cost employees. Teachers and other state employees, who make more will now also have to pay more for their insurance. It's part of an overall premium increase for the State Health Plan amid rising health care costs. "My premium has almost tripled," Wake County kindergarten teacher Dianna Faircloth told WRAL. However, confusion about how to calculate employee salaries could mean some teachers will have to shell out even more money. The Treasurer sent out an alert about inaccurate salary information. It notes that the salary should include any local supplements. That's how districts are supposed to calculate how much each employee owes. Wake County was already doing it right, but officials say that wasn't…...

1+ mon, 4+ day ago (198+ words) Health care premiums for Affordable Care Act plans offered through the insurance marketplace in North Carolina will rise by an average of nearly 30 percent. WRAL reported in August that health insurance companies were planning the rate hikes. The Department of Insurance made those rate increases official Wednesday. About 1 million North Carolinians purchase ACA plans. The rate increases for individual policies range from 16.88% to 36.4%, while the increases for group policies range from 12.66% to 17.5%. Open enrollment begins Nov. 1. North Carolina is not alone in seeing rate increases with premiums soaring across the country. And even more rate hikes could soon be on the way, depending on how the ongoing federal government shutdown is eventually resolved. Federal subsidies for Obamacare are set to expire this year. Democrats want them extended. But Republicans have fought to end the subsidies, the political battle at the…...

1+ mon, 4+ day ago (207+ words) Health care premiums for Affordable Care Act plans offered through the insurance marketplace in North Carolina will rise by an average of nearly 30 percent. WRAL reported in August that health insurance companies were planning the rate hikes. The Department of Insurance made those rate increases official Wednesday. About 1 million North Carolinians purchase ACA plans. The rate increases for individual policies range from 16.88% to 36.4%, while the increases for group policies range from 12.66% to 17.5%. Open enrollment begins Nov. 1. North Carolina is not alone in seeing rate increases with premiums soaring across the country. And even more rate hikes could soon be on the way, depending on how the ongoing federal government shutdown is eventually resolved. Enhanced premimum tax credits for Obamacare, which have been in place since 2021, are set to expire this year. Democrats want them extended. But Republicans have fought to…...