Fairview sues UnitedHealthcare over 2027 Medicare listings

Fairview sues UnitedHealthcare over 2027 Medicare listings Sabrina Salguero Del Cid KSTP Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services is suing Eden Prairie-headquartered UnitedHealthcare over 2027 Medicare Advantage listings as open enrollment nears for many Minnesotans.Fairview’s federal lawsuit says the Medicare Advantage network information lists Fairview hospitals, clinics, and providers as in-network, despite the health system dropping MA plans starting Jan. 1. The health system said it wants to fast-track the case before annual enrollment begins Oct. 15.Court documents state it would “create a real risk of widespread confusion” for patients and the public.“If patients are told otherwise when they choose their coverage, they could make a decision they cannot easily undo,” said Dr. Jaya Kumar, chief medical officer of Fairview Health Services. “We are asking the court to require accurate information before enrollment begins, when patients still have the opportunity to make an informed choice.”RELATED: Minnesota Medicare Advantage shakeup forces hundreds of thousands to find new plans for 2027Why the lawsuit?Fairview said it gave the health insurer clear notice about Medicare Advantage plans months ago, but UnitedHealthcare still published provider information online and in print.Fairview said it told UnitedHealthcare on June 9 it would not renew or extend its Medicare Advantage participation agreements for 2027. On Sept. 24 and Sept. 28, Fairview also asked UnitedHealthcare to confirm it would not be included in the provider directories.Fairview provides care to 33,000 patients with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage coverage each year. The health system noted the lawsuit does not affect its separate commercial agreement with UnitedHealthcare.UnitedHealthcare provided the following statement: “We continue to engage in good faith with Fairview Health in an effort to reach an agreement that is affordable, while maintaining long-term network access to the health system. Should we not reach an agreement, we will communicate to our members the possibility Fairview could go out of network, in accordance with CMS guidelines.”