SSM Health remains committed to working in good faith with UnitedHealthcare to renew our contracts and remain a participating provider in UHC’s commercial and Medicaid networks and ensure patients maintain in-network access to SSM Health’s services, clinicians, and facilities.
While we’re hopeful we will come to a resolution, if our contract expires before an agreement is reached, SSM Health’s doctors, clinics, and hospitals may be out of UHC’s commercial and Medicaid networks beginning Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
We are deeply saddened by UHC’s approach and the disruption this will cause to the patients who trust us to deliver the care they need.
This change could affect our patients’ ability to continue receiving the care they trust from SSM Health, which may include increased out-of-pocket costs.
While costs for everyday services continue to rise, healthcare is no exception. For years, UnitedHealthcare has failed to cover the full cost of delivering the care our patients need. As a nonprofit health system committed to caring for all – especially the underserved – we cannot allow UnitedHealthcare to continue these tactics.
UnitedHealthcare has continued to raise member premiums and benefit from record profits, while withholding fair compensation from health systems like ours. To ensure we can keep delivering high-quality, accessible care, we must hold UnitedHealthcare accountable.
Patients should keep all appointments, tests and procedures scheduled through the end of the year to ensure they continue to receive the care they need.
What You Can Do to Protect Access to SSM Health
Call UnitedHealthcare
Make your voice heard. You can reach out to UnitedHealthcare directly at the phone number located on the back of your member ID card to express your concerns about losing access to the care you rely on at SSM Health.
- For Commercial Patients: We encourage you to contact UnitedHealthcare and your employer’s HR department to share your preference for continuing care with SSM Health. We’re committed to providing the high-quality, compassionate care you trust.
- For Medicaid Patients: We encourage you to reach out to the Managed Care Enrollment Helpline at 800-348-6627. with questions regarding your options and how to protect your in-network access to care at SSM Health in the event we do not reach an agreement before our current contract expires.
Patients who are in the midst of treatment or otherwise concerned about continuity of their care after January 1, 2026, should call UHC at the number on the back of their insurance card to inquire about continuity of care.
December 11, 2025 09:35 AM - SSM Health is working in good faith with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) to renew our contracts and remain a participating provider in United’s commercial and Medicaid networks.
We are committed to partnering with UnitedHealthcare to ensure patients maintain in-network access to SSM Health’s services, clinicians, and facilities.
Unfortunately, during negotiations, United has prioritized its own profits over what its members truly deserve – high-quality, accessible care.
UnitedHealthcare is prioritizing profits over the care our patients need and deserve—and that’s unacceptable.
At SSM Health, guided by our Mission and Values, we are committed to delivering care to all, especially to the underserved who need it most.
We cannot continue to let UnitedHealthcare put their own profits ahead of the care our patients need.
Our providers and clinicians must be able to deliver the right care for each patient without limitations.
While we’re hopeful we will come to a resolution, if our contract expires before an agreement is reached, SSM Health’s doctors, clinics, and hospitals may be out of UHC’s commercial and Medicaid networks beginning Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
We are deeply saddened by UnitedHealthcare’s approach and the disruption this will cause to the patients who trust us to deliver the care they need.
This change could affect our patients’ ability to continue receiving the care they trust from SSM Health, which may include increased out-of-pocket costs.
While costs for everyday services continue to rise, healthcare is no exception. For years, UnitedHealthcare has failed to cover the full cost of delivering the care our patients need. As a nonprofit health system committed to caring for all – especially the underserved – we cannot allow United to continue these tactics.
UnitedHealthcare has continued to raise member premiums and benefit from record profits, while withholding fair compensation from health systems like ours. To ensure we can keep delivering high-quality, accessible care, we must hold UnitedHealthcare accountable.
We know how important it is for our patients to have in-network access to the high-quality care they depend on from our doctors. We remain committed to continuing negotiations with the goal of reaching an agreement before our contract expires on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
