Contract negotiations between hospital operator HCA Inc. and insurer United Healthcare have broken down, an impasse that could lead to disruptions in patient care throughout the metro-area as thousands of residents may be forced to pick new hospitals and doctors – or pay 50 percent or more of the cost of care.
Negotiators for HCA, the metro-area’s largest hospital chain, and United, the state’s largest insurance provider, called off talks early this morning, two day before the current contract expires on Friday, said Linda Kanamine, a spokeswoman for HCA.
HealthOne facilities would be considered “out of network” for United members. That means United members, depending on their plan, would have to pay as much as 100 percent of the bill for treatment at HealthOne facilities.
“It’s going to be disruptive,” said Kanamine.
The two sides had been optimistic in recent weeks, as officials for HCA and United said the two companies were making progress in hammering out a deal.
Kanimine said additional talks could be held next week, although no meetings have been scheduled as of Wednesday afternoon.
Staff writer Will Shanley can be reached at 303-954-1260 or wshanley@denverpost.com
A photo caption associated with this story has been corrected is online archive. Originally, it mentioned National Jewish Hospital as one of those affected by the impasse in negotiations. Affected facilities include: the Medical Center of Aurora, North Suburban Medical Center, Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center, Rose Medical Center, Sky Ridge Medical Center, Swedish Medical Center and Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital, plus 10 HCA surgical centers.
