WI UnitedHealthcare, talks break down; carrier cancels transplant coverage

[Guest guest]

UnitedHealthcare, Froedtert talks break down; carrier cancels transplant

coverage

Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of

Wisconsin are now considered out-of-network for organ

transplant patients who carry health insurance through UnitedHealthcare.

Effective

Friday, United Resources

Network, United's insurance program exclusively

designed for transplants, terminated its contract with Froedtert.

The two sides had been in talks for much of the summer, only to have

negotiations break down late Thursday afternoon.

The

immediate impact is that transplants performed at Froedtert

or by Medical College

physicians now will come at a substantial cost premium to customers of United,

the largest commercial insurer in the state.

The

longer-term impact is a possible shift in market share away from Froedtert to other major transplant centers, including

University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison,

Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center

and hospitals in Illinois.

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2006/08/28/daily45.html

Barb in Texas - Together in the Fight, Whatever it Takes!

Son Ken (32) UC 91 - PSC 99 Listed 7/21 @ Baylor Dallas