The contract dispute previously discussed here between Continuum Health Partners, the consortium that presently controls Long Island College Hospital, and UnitedHealthcare, the parent of the popular Oxford Health Plans as well as other plans covering unions and similar groups, has been resolved.
Crain’s New York Business: The dispute is over: Continuum Health Partners and UnitedHealthcare signed a new contract Wednesday night after months of sometimes tense negotiations. The contract is for all product lines, including commercial, Medicare and Medicaid, and is effective retroactively to March 1.
This means that persons covered under Oxford or other UnitedHealthcare plans may continue to use LICH and LICH-affiliated physicians during the time LICH remains under Continuum’s control and the new contract remains in effect. If and when the merger between LICH and SUNY Downstate Medical Center takes effect–approval by the State Department of Health is still pending–coverage should not be affected, as there is no present dispute between SUNY Downstate and UnitedHealthcare.
