Lehigh Valley Health Network

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) issued a notice to end our contract and is demanding a more than 20% price hike in one year

We are actively negotiating with LVHN to renew our network relationship for people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored commercial plans and the Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (VACCN). Our goal is to reach an agreement that is affordable for Pennsylvanians and employers while maintaining continued, uninterrupted network access to the health system.

In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, most LVHN facilities and providers would be out of network for people enrolled in employer-sponsored commercial plans and VACCN, beginning April 26, 2026.  Please see the separate FAQs for additional details as some dates vary by the provider location.

A small number of LVHN providers also participate in our Medicaid plans, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The dates these facilities would be out of network, including whether they’d be impacted by our negotiation, are outlined in the FAQs. 

LVHN has chosen to leave our Medicare Advantage network, beginning Jan. 26, 2026

Most LVHN providers will no longer participate in our Medicare Advantage network following the health system’s decision to end our contract, effective Jan. 26. As a result, LVHN will be out of network for people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, including Individual, Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNP), Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) and Group Retiree plans, beginning Jan. 26, 2026.

Please see the separate FAQs for additional details as some dates vary by the provider location.

This does not impact Medicare Supplement plans. People enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan can continue to receive care at LVHN, regardless if LVHN chooses to leave our network.

Our top priority is providing people continued access to the care they need through our broad network of providers who collaborate with us to provide quality, affordable care. People should call us at the number on their health plan ID card if they need assistance finding another provider in our network in their area.

UnitedHealthcare members who are in the middle of treatment with an LVHN provider or at an LVHN hospital for a serious or complex condition at the time they left our network are eligible for continuity of care. Continuity of care provides continued in-network benefits for a specified period of time after a hospital or physician leaves our network. An example of a condition eligible for continuity of care includes but is not limited to an individual who is in active cancer treatment.

UnitedHealthcare members must apply and be approved for continuity of care. They should call the number on their health plan ID card if they need assistance or have questions regarding continuity of care or need assistance finding another provider in their area that meets their health care needs.

LVHN’s hospitals are among the most expensive in eastern Pennsylvania, yet the health system is demanding a more than 20% price hike in one year

Employers and families throughout Pennsylvania are already struggling to afford skyrocketing health care costs. The leading driver of these increases are the prices hospitals charge—such as LVHN—which is seeking exorbitant price hikes.

LVHN’s proposal would significantly increase what Pennsylvanians pay for care, adding even more financial strain for people and employers during challenging economic times. 

The majority of the price hike demands LVHN is seeking would come out of the budgets of self-funded employers

The majority of the rate increases LVHN is seeking would come out of the budgets of Pennsylvania employers. More than 80% of our members throughout eastern Pennsylvania are enrolled in ASO (self-funded) commercial plans, meaning their employers pay the cost of their employees’ medical bills themselves.

Agreeing to LVHN’s demands for a more than 20% price hike would mean these employers have less money available to pay salaries, invest in new technologies or help grow the business. These companies are also faced with difficult decisions about benefits and costs, often leaving them with no other choice than to pass a portion of these cost increases to their employees, resulting in higher deductibles, out-of-pocket expenses, and employee contributions.

Facts you should know

This negotiation only impacts LVHN’s hospitals, facilities and its physicians

Network access to Jefferson Health’s hospitals, facilities and its physicians is not impacted for people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored commercial plans, Medicare Advantage plans or Medicaid plans.

UnitedHealthcare members will continue to have access to a large network of providers should LVHN leave our network

We recently reached a multi-year agreement with St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN). The agreement provides people enrolled in the following plans continued, uninterrupted network access to SLUHN’s hospitals, facilities and its physicians for people enrolled in the following plans:

  • UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored commercial plans
  • UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, including Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP), Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP) and Group Retiree plans
  • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Pennsylvania (Medicaid), including Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

We are proposing numerous compromises and solutions LVHN has sought, while also continuing to reimburse the health system above market-competitive rates

We will remain at the negotiating table as long as it takes to reach an agreement that is affordable for consumers and employers

We know the relationship between people and their doctors is deeply personal and important. We are doing everything we can to reach an agreement and we will remain at the negotiating table as long as it takes. However, we need LVHN to work with us toward an agreement that is affordable and sustainable for the people and local companies we serve.

Frequently asked questions for our members