St. Louis, MO — SSM Health is committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to the communities it serves. SSM Health’s ability to continue that commitment is at risk because UnitedHealthcare (UHC) continues to insist on creating obstacles that get in the way of delivering exceptional patient care and makes patients’ access to care more difficult.
If an agreement is not reached by December 31, 2025, patients with UHC coverage may lose in-network access to SSM Health hospitals, clinics, and providers across Missouri – including SSM Health Medical Group, SLUCare Physician Group, and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
“Our priority is ensuring patients have uninterrupted access to the high-quality care they trust,” said Jeremy Fotheringham, Regional President, SSM Health St. Louis and Illinois. “We cannot accept terms that fail to support the level of care our patients need and deserve. United Healthcare has a history of aggressive negotiations that impact patients directly, we are focused on patients getting the right care, at the right time, with the highest quality providers.”
UnitedHealthcare reported billions in profits last year, while SSM Health, as a nonprofit Catholic health system, continues to care for all patients, including those most vulnerable and unable to pay. UHC’s massive profits are derived from delaying and denying care to patients and their unwillingness to recognize mission-based hospitals rising costs and increasingly complex patient needs, UHC has declined to offer reimbursement rates that sustain access to care.
The New York Times recently highlighted UnitedHealthcare’s ongoing denials of essential care, including treatment for stroke patients. Putting profits ahead of patients' needs is unacceptable. At SSM Health, we will always stand up for what is right for our patients without exception.
SSM Health remains committed to reaching a fair, sustainable agreement that protects patients and preserves access to trusted providers. Without such an agreement, UHC’s decision could lead to patients not having full access to high quality care, higher out-of-pocket costs and fewer care options for thousands of Missouri families.
Patients’ voices matter.
SSM Health encourages patients to contact UnitedHealthcare by calling the member number on the back of their insurance cards to share their desire to maintain access to the doctors and care teams they trust. Patients with employer-sponsored coverage should also speak with their HR departments.
