Ascension Via Christi Health System in Kansas
We are actively negotiating in good faith to renew our network relationship with Ascension Via Christi Health System in Kansas
We are engaged in good-faith negotiation with Ascension Via Christi Health System to renew our network relationship. Our goal is to reach an agreement that is affordable for consumers and employers while providing continued access to the health system’s hospitals and physicians across Central Kansas.
In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, Ascension Via Christi’s hospitals and providers will be out of network for people enrolled in the following plans, effective January 11, 2027:
- Employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans
- Individual Family Plans (IFP)
- Medicare Advantage plans, including Group Retiree plans
- Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP)
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kansas (Medicaid) plans
Facts you should know
Frequently asked questions
We have created the following FAQs to ensure you and your family have the information needed regarding next steps as well as details to help meet your health care needs.
We are engaged in good-faith negotiation with Ascension Via Christi Health System to renew our network relationship. Our goal is to reach an agreement that is affordable for consumers and employers while providing continued access to the health system’s hospitals and physicians across Central Kansas.
In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, Ascension Via Christi’s hospitals and providers will be out of network for people enrolled in the following plans, effective January 11, 2027:
- Employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans
- Individual Family Plans (IFP)
- Medicare Advantage plans, including Group Retiree plans
- Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP)
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kansas (Medicaid) plans
In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, Ascension Via Christi’s hospitals and providers will be out of network for people enrolled in the following plans, effective January 11, 2027:
- Employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans
- Individual Family Plans (IFP)
- Medicare Advantage plans, including Group Retiree plans
- Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP)
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kansas (Medicaid) plans
In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, the following Ascension Via Christi hospitals will be out of network, effective January 11, 2027:
- Ascension Via Christi St. Francis
- Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph
- Ascension Via Christi St. Teresa
- Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan
- Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg
- Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital
In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, Ascension Via Christi’s hospitals and providers will be out of network for people enrolled in the following plans, effective January 11, 2027:
- Employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans
- Individual Family Plans (IFP)
- Medicare Advantage plans, including Group Retiree plans
- Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP)
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kansas (Medicaid) plans
People enrolled in our Medicare Advantage PPO and Group Retiree plans may receive care from an out-of-network provider, if the provider is a Medicare participating provider which accepts the plan.
If people have a Group Retiree PPO plan, their share of the cost is typically the same as if the provider was part of the network.
Members enrolled in our Medicare Advantage PPO and Group Retiree plans are encouraged to speak with the provider to confirm they will provide care, regardless of their network status.
We understand that network changes can be difficult. Our priority is to provide our members access to the care they need through a robust network of hospitals and providers.
If we are unable to renew our agreement with Ascension Via Christi, the people we are privileged to serve will continue to have access to in-network care from a broad network of providers and hospitals across Central Kansas.
For support finding in-network hospitals, members can call the customer care number on their health plan ID card or visit their plan’s website:
- myuhc.com
- myuhcmedicare.com
- retiree.uhc.com for Group Retiree plans
- uhc.com/communityplan/kansas
UnitedHealthcare members who are in the middle of treatment at Ascension Via Christi may qualify for continuity of care, which provides continued in-network benefits for a specified period of time after a hospital or physician leaves our network.
Examples of conditions that would be eligible for continuity of care include but are not limited to the following:
- People in active treatment for cancer
- Individuals in ongoing treatment for transplant services
Any member who believes they need continuity of care should contact UnitedHealthcare to determine if they are eligible.
For information regarding how to apply and whether they might be eligible for continuity of care, members should call the number on their health plan ID card.
In the event of an emergency, UnitedHealthcare members should go to the nearest hospital and will be covered at the in-network benefit level, regardless of whether the hospital participates in our network.
UnitedHealthcare members should always go to the nearest hospital in the event of an emergency. Their services will be covered at the in-network benefit level, regardless of whether the hospital participates in UnitedHealthcare’s network.
For support finding in-network hospitals, members can call the customer care number on their health plan ID card or visit their plan’s website:
- myuhc.com
- myuhcmedicare.com
- retiree.uhc.com for Group Retiree plans
- uhc.com/communityplan/kansas