News Release
Dear Valued Patient Family,
Our current agreement with United Healthcare is set to expire on May 31, 2023. You are receiving this information to ensure your family has timely information on this process and to encourage you to seek continuity of care benefits as soon as possible through United.
For patients currently in treatment, you may be eligible to receive in-network continuity of care benefits, but you must complete a continuity of care request form to qualify. Please contact United Healthcare today for further information on submitting a continuity of care request.
Continuity of Care
If the United contract expires, Phoenix Children’s, as well as our physician providers and urgent care centers, would be considered out-of-network by United on June 1, 2023, and you might see changes in your financial responsibility for care. To help you prepare for this possibility, we’ve prepared the following detailed information surrounding the continuity of care you can expect from Phoenix Children’s.
- Already Scheduled Care
If you already have an appointment or procedure scheduled with a Phoenix Children’s provider or clinic after May 31, 2023, please contact United to learn about your out-of-network benefits. Your out-of-pocket costs will be higher. If you do not have out-of-network benefits, United Healthcare will not cover this care and you may be responsible for 100% of the cost of those services.
- Emergency Care
You may continue to receive emergency care at Phoenix Children’s regardless of Phoenix Children’s contract status with United Healthcare. Please contact United with coverage questions.
- Care Not Yet Scheduled
You may not have a current appointment but may want additional information about future care at Phoenix Children’s. These services will be considered out-of-network for United after May 31, 2023. Please contact United for additional information regarding your financial responsibility for out-of-network providers.
Reaching an Agreement
We are in ongoing discussions with United Healthcare surrounding this contract and are working to ensure families have in-network access to the providers and services you’ve come to rely on from Phoenix Children’s. We have to get this right for the children in our care now, and for those who will need Phoenix Children’s for years to come. We owe it to you, our patient families, to ensure this contract won’t inhibit or limit our ability to provide the highest quality care every child deserves, including yours.
We encourage you to please contact United Healthcare today to learn more about the difference between in-network and out-of-network benefits under your plan. Please know we will work tirelessly to reach an agreement with United to hopefully avoid any disruption to the exceptional care you’ve come to expect from Phoenix Children’s.
Frequently Asked Questions: Phoenix Children’s and United Healthcare Contract Negotiation
I have a United Healthcare health plan. What does this mean for me?
Nothing is changing for you until June 1, 2023, as negotiations between Phoenix Children’s and United Healthcare have been ongoing. If an agreement cannot be reached by the termination date of May 31, 2023, all Phoenix Children’s providers, including Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix Children’s Medical Group, Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics and Phoenix Children’s Urgent Care locations will be out-of-network for all patients with a United Healthcare health plan. You will have to pay more if you receive care at Phoenix Children’s.
Why haven’t Phoenix Children’s and United Healthcare come to an agreement yet?
We are working to remain in-network with United Healthcare but have not reached a new agreement yet. Phoenix Children’s is focused on reaching an agreement that allows us to continue providing highest quality of care to our growing community as patient families deserve exceptional pediatric care close to home.
If United Healthcare is out-of-network, how will my access to your providers change?
If termination occurs, on or after June 1, 2023, Phoenix Children’s and United Healthcare will no longer be contracted. This means you may no longer have in-network benefits with our providers. You may continue to access our health care providers and hospitals for health care services as follows:
- Emergency Care: Emergency care access is not impacted. You may continue to receive emergency care at our Emergency Room, regardless of our network status with United Healthcare.
- Continuity/Transition of Care: Certain patients may be eligible to receive “Continuity of Care” or “Transition of Care” benefits with United Healthcare for a short period of time if they need ongoing treatment for a specific illness or medical condition only. For questions about ongoing care or benefits coverage, please call the phone number listed on the back of your insurance card.
- Out-Of-Network Care: You may still access our health care providers and hospitals for health care services if you have an out-of-network benefit. In some situations, United Healthcare may authorize in-network benefits if alternative providers are not available in the service area. Please call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to discuss your specific in or out-of-network benefits with United Healthcare.
Which United Healthcare products are affected by the contract termination?
United Healthcare commercial plans will likely be impacted by this change. To discuss your specific plan and how it may be impacted, please call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to review your specific in or out-of-network benefits with United Healthcare.
Which providers are affected by the contract termination?
Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix Children’s Medical Group, Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics and Phoenix Children’s Urgent Care Centers will be out-of-network if agreement is not reached with United Healthcare by May 31, 2023.
Will I have to pay more money out-of-pocket to receive care now that you are an out-of-network provider?
Please call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to discuss your specific in or out-of-network benefits with United Healthcare. Phoenix Children’s also offers self-pay options, and you are welcome to access our services as a self-pay patient. Call our financial counselors to facilitate an estimate at 602-933-2000.
What action can I take to ensure I continue to have access to in-network services at Phoenix Children’s under United Healthcare?
To ensure Phoenix Children’s continues to be in-network, talk to United Healthcare, or your human resources department/employer directly to stress the importance of having in-network access to Phoenix Children’s.
What if I have a doctor’s appointment or elective procedure scheduled after May 31, 2023?
We understand you may already have appointments scheduled on or after June 1, 2023. If this is the case, you may qualify for Continuity of Care or Transition of Care benefits for a short period of time if your child needs ongoing treatment for a specific illness or medical condition only. For any questions about your United Healthcare Continuity of Care or Transition of Care benefits coverage, call the customer service phone number on the back of your health insurance card.
You may still access our health care providers and hospitals for health care services if you have out-of-network benefits. In some situations, United Healthcare may authorize in-network benefits if alternative providers are not available in the service area. Please call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to discuss your specific in or out-of-network benefits with United Healthcare.
What if I have an emergency?
Emergency care access is not impacted. Patients may continue to receive emergency care at our Emergency Room, regardless of our network status with United Healthcare.
How long will Phoenix Children’s be an out-of-network provider?
At this time, it is difficult to determine how long we may be out-of-network. We are in ongoing communication with United Healthcare. We recognize and value our relationship with our patients and remain open to discussions with United Healthcare to reach an agreement.