Providers affiliated with UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and University of Colorado School of Medicine are no longer seeing patients with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, a UCHealth spokesperson said.
Spokesperson Dan Weaver said in a statement that the providers made the decision because of UnitedHealthcare’s handling of medical claims.
“Unfortunately, United Healthcare does not follow the normal reimbursement and appeals process for Medicare Advantage claims for University of Colorado Hospital or CU Medicine,” he said.
About 600 patients received letters in June informing them that they will no longer be seen by providers at University of Colorado Hospital or with the School of Medicine.
While some patients received letters, it’s unclear exactly how many will ultimately be affected by the decision.
The providers are already out-of-network for those covered by UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, meaning most individuals did not see providers with University of Colorado Hospital or the School of Medicine regularly.
However, the providers have offered specialty services, such as cancer care, to UnitedHealthcare members when it has been requested.
Weaver said that in some cases, UnitedHealthcare told its members that they could receive advanced care from specialists, but “then refused to pay for their care.”
This article was originally posted on denverpost.com