Community Health System in California
We are actively negotiating in good faith to renew our network relationship with Community Health System in California
We are engaged in good-faith negotiation with Community Health System (CHS) to renew our network relationship. Community Health System includes Community Medical Centers’ hospitals and Community Health Partners’ providers. 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 in the Central San Joaquin Valley.
In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, Community Medical Centers’ hospitals and Community Health Partners’ providers will be out of network for people enrolled in the following plans, effective January 1, 2027:
- Employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans
- Medicare Advantage plans
- Group Retiree 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 Community Health System (CHS) to renew our network relationship. Community Health System includes Community Medical Centers’ hospitals and Community Health Partners’ providers. 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 in the Central San Joaquin Valley.
In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, Community Medical Centers’ hospitals and Community Health Partners’ providers will be out of network for people enrolled in the following plans, effective January 1, 2027:
- Employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans
- Medicare Advantage plans
- Group Retiree plans
In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, Community Medical Centers’ hospitals and Community Health Partners’ providers will be out of network for people enrolled in the following plans, effective January 1, 2027:
- Employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans
- Medicare Advantage plans
- Group Retiree plans
In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, the following Community Medical Centers’ hospitals will be out of network, effective January 1, 2027:
- Clovis Community Medical Center
- Fresno Community Hospital and Regional Medical Center
- Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital
In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, Community Medical Centers’ hospitals and Community Health Partners’ providers will be out of network for people enrolled in the following plans, effective January 1, 2027:
- Employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans
- Medicare Advantage plans
- Group Retiree 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 CHS, 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 the Central San Joaquin Valley, including but not limited to:
- Saint Agnes Medical Center
- Valley Children's Hospital
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
UnitedHealthcare members who are in the middle of treatment at a Community Medical Centers’ hospital or with a Community Health Partners’ provider 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