A stalemate between UnitedHealthcare — one of the largest health insurance companies in the country — and Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospitals could affect thousands of families across the Tampa Bay region, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
United provides health insurance for some of the region's largest local governments, including Pinellas County government and the cities of St. Petersburg and Tampa. It is also the primary carrier for Raymond James and several other private employers.
United used to have a contract with All Children's that allowed members to pay in-network rates. But when it came time to renegotiate last fall, All Children's asked United to pay more.
All Children's initially sought a 60 percent increase to keep up with rising health care costs, hospital president Dr. Jonathan Ellen said. The hospital later lowered its request to 35 percent. But United would agree to only 20 percent.
