ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (970 WFLA) - Thousands of kids who visit Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital for treatment may have to find somewhere else to go.
That's because All Children's is in a dispute with United Healthcare over reimbursement fees.
“As of May 11, 2017, United Healthcare now considers hospital-based services and provider (physician) services at Johns Hopkins All Children’s as out-of-network,” said Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in a statement released on Tuesday.
“We are a not-for-profit teaching hospital that is always reinvesting in the care of kids,” said Jonathan Ellen, M.D., president and vice dean of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
That means patients with United Healthcare insurance will have to pay much higher out of network prices.
All Children's claims that United Health pays far less than other insurers. The hospital initially wanted a 60 percent increase, but later lowered that demand to 35 percent.
United Healthcare has countered with a 20 percent offer.
Patients have six months to find a new option within their network unless a deal is reached.
photo credit: WFLA-TV