Thousands of Marylanders are facing uncertainty about their health care access after negotiations between Johns Hopkins Medicine and UnitedHealthcare collapsed last week. The breakdown means that Johns Hopkins hospitals and doctors are now out of network for many patients covered by UnitedHealthcare insurance plans.
The dispute centers on reimbursement rates and contract terms, with both sides blaming the other for failing to reach an agreement. Johns Hopkins, one of the region’s largest health care providers, said UnitedHealthcare was unwilling to meet fair payment standards for services. UnitedHealthcare, meanwhile, argued it worked to keep coverage affordable and that Hopkins’ demands would increase costs for members.
For patients, the impasse creates immediate challenges. Johns Hopkins doctors, clinics, and hospitals, including Johns Hopkins Hospital, Bayview Medical Center, Howard County General, Suburban, and Sibley Memorial, are no longer considered in network. This could result in significantly higher out-of-pocket costs for appointments, procedures, and hospital stays.
The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) issued a statement expressing disappointment and emphasizing protections available to consumers under both federal and state law, patients have the right to continue receiving care from their Hopkins providers for up to 90 days if they are undergoing treatment for serious or complex conditions, in inpatient care, scheduled for non-elective surgery, pregnant, or terminally ill. Maryland law extends this protection to those receiving primary care. These safeguards are meant to give patients time to transition to new providers without disrupting critical treatments. Mental health and substance use services through the Optum Behavioral Network are not affected by the dispute.
The MIA also announced it is investigating UnitedHealthcare’s network adequacy in Maryland, given that both Johns Hopkins and Capital Women’s Care have exited its provider network.
Patients are encouraged to contact UnitedHealthcare directly to verify coverage and explore in-network alternatives. They should also ask their Hopkins providers about continuity of care eligibility. The Maryland Insurance Administration can be reached at 410-468-2244 or 1-800-492-6116 for assistance.
The fallout highlights the fragile balance between insurers seeking to contain costs and hospitals advocating for reimbursement that reflects the true cost of care. For Baltimore-area patients, many of whom view Johns Hopkins as their primary or specialty provider, the dispute underscores how corporate contract battles can have very personal consequences.
At stake is not just where patients receive care, but whether they can continue treatment with the doctors and hospitals they trust. With negotiations halted indefinitely, Marylanders are left navigating a complex health care landscape at a time when clarity and stability are most needed.