An update regarding our network relationship with Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) in Illinois

Individuals who have coverage through the HSHS employee health plan with UMR are not impacted by this negotiation and will continue to have in-network access to the health system regardless of the outcome.

We continue to compromise in the spirit of good-faith negotiation and have proposed rate increases that would reimburse HSHS at market-competitive rates while balancing the affordability needs of consumers and employers.

We remain at the negotiating table and are fully committed to productive, good-faith discussions. Our goal is to renew our agreement so members can maintain in-network access to the physicians and care they know and trust while keeping health care affordable for Illinois families and seniors.

We know the care HSHS provides is important and personal to our members. We also understand how disruptive it can be when a health system no longer participates in our network.

If HSHS leaves our network, we will support affected members by providing information about continuity of care and other participating physicians and hospitals in the region.

If a member is receiving treatment from an HSHS hospital or physician when the provider leaves our network, the member may qualify for continuity of care. Continuity of care allows eligible members to continue receiving in-network benefits from the provider for a specified period after the provider leaves our network. Examples of members who may qualify include:

• People who are pregnant
• Patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed cancer, or those currently receiving active cancer treatment

Members who have questions about continuity of care or alternative hospitals and physicians should call the number on their health plan ID card. Members can also use the provider directory on the UnitedHealthcare member website to search for participating hospitals and physicians.

If HSHS leaves our network, members enrolled in Group Retiree PPO plans may still receive care from an HSHS provider or facility on an out-of-network basis if the provider is Medicare-approved and accepts the plan. Their share of the cost will be the same as if the provider participated in the network.

Group Retiree members should speak with their physician to confirm whether the physician will continue to see them, regardless of network status. For additional information about Group Retiree plans or help finding a provider, members should visit UnitedHealthcare Retiree.