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At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), our top priority is ensuring patients have access to the highest-quality cancer care. We believe UnitedHealthcare (UHC), which includes Oxford plans, must do the same.

MSK has worked hard to reach a long-term agreement with UHC — one that reflects the real cost and value of our specialized cancer care. UHC refused to agree to that. We also offered a “Continuity of Care” plan to help you stay with your MSK doctors during treatment — similar to plans we have agreed to with other insurers. UHC denied that plan. Instead, they are offering only what New York State law and their own policy require.

If UHC does not change course, MSK will no longer be in-network for UHC members starting July 1, 2025. This would jeopardize access to world-class cancer care for millions of UHC-insured individuals and could immediately disrupt care for thousands of patients — including those in active treatment.

We urge UHC to return to the negotiating table with a proposal that puts patients first and keeps continued access to the world-class cancer care they rely on and deserve.

What This Means for Our Patients

We know this news may be unsettling. Our goal is to keep our patients informed and prepared while we work toward a resolution.

If MSK and UHC do not reach a new agreement by June 30, 2025:

• Starting July 1, 2025, all MSK doctors will be out-of-network for patients with UHC or Oxford plans.
• Through August 30, patients with fully insured UHC or Oxford plans will still have in-network coverage for hospital services under New York’s 60-day “cooling off” rule.
  • Hospital services include equipment, tests, and support from nurses and other care team members.
  • Bills from doctors are not included in hospital services. You may get a separate bill from your MSK doctor, starting July 1.
• Also starting July 1, patients with self-funded (ASO) UHC or Oxford plans will lose in-network access to all MSK care.

If you don’t know what type of plan you have, call UHC.

If You Have an Appointment

If you have an appointment scheduled on or after July 1, MSK will contact you. If your plan does not cover out-of-network care, we will also send you an estimate of your expected costs.

Starting September 1, everyone with a UHC or Oxford plan will be out-of-network at MSK.

To keep getting care at MSK, you must either:

• Have out-of-network benefits, or
• Be approved by UHC for Continuity of Care

Otherwise, you will need to pay MSK’s self-pay rates. To estimate the cost of care and to view a list of our standard charges, go to MSK.org/estimate.

What You Need to Do: Apply for Continuity of Care

Continuity of Care is not automatic. You must apply before July 30.

To apply:

UHC decides who gets approved. Approval is not guaranteed. If UHC denies your request, call us at 646-227-3378. We can help you understand your options.

If you get care at MSK on or after July 1, you may need to pay the full cost.

Your care will be covered by UHC if any of the following apply:

• You have a fully insured plan. (Hospital services only are covered through August 30.)
• You have out-of-network benefits. (You may have a higher co-pay or deductible, and you will need to pay for care UHC does not cover.)
• UHC approves you for Continuity of Care.

We Are Here to Help

We know this might be stressful. We are here to support you. If you are worried about costs or if you need help applying for Continuity of Care:

• Call us at 646-227-3378.

We hope UHC will come back to the table and agree to a fair deal. We are committed to your care and to helping you every step of the way.

Why MSK’s Care Matters

MSK provides world-class cancer care that results in superior outcomes and is more cost-effective than other leading hospitals in the region:

• MSK patients have a higher three-year survival rate and 16% lower total costs of care compared to other leading hospitals in New York.
• Our specialized approach results in 25% fewer inpatient admissions and 76% fewer outpatient visits.
• We bring more breakthrough treatments and clinical trials to patients than any other cancer center in the region — often improving survival rates by up to 70%, depending on cancer stage.

We hope UHC will come back to the table and agree to a fair deal. We are committed to your care and to helping you every step of the way.