Updated June 5, 2025
We are actively negotiating with Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) to renew our network relationship. Our goal is to reach an agreement that is affordable for consumers and employers while providing continued, uninterrupted network access to MSK.
We understand how important it is to have access to quality care – especially when facing something as serious as cancer. We also recognize and appreciate the relationship you have with your physician is not only important, it’s personal.
That’s why we’re actively working with MSK to reach a long-term agreement that maintains continued network access to the providers you and all of our members trust for your health care needs.
However, we also have a responsibility to provide health care that is affordable and sustainable for you, your family and employers. Our goal during this negotiation is the same as yours – to help you access the quality care you need while making health care as affordable as possible. We believe every individual should have access to high-quality care, but it shouldn’t cost your financial peace of mind.
Our current contract with MSK remains in effect through June 30, 2025. Our goal is to utilize the remaining time on our agreement to renew our relationship. In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, MSK’s hospital – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) – facilities, including outpatient centers, as well as its physicians, would be out of network for people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare and Oxford employer-sponsored commercial plans, effective July 1.
If you are enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare or Oxford fully insured commercial plan, you will continue to have network access to MSK’s hospital – MSKCC – through Aug. 30, in accordance with New York cooling off requirements. Cooling off only applies to hospitals. MSK’s other provider locations, including its outpatient centers and physicians, would be out of network for people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare and Oxford fully insured commercial plans, beginning July 1.
Cooling off does not apply to ASO (also known as self-funded) commercial plans. All MSK provider locations, including MSKCC, would be out of network for people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare or Oxford ASO commercial plans, beginning July 1.
Please note people enrolled in the Empire Plan are not impacted by this negotiation and will continue to have network access to MSK, regardless of the outcome of our negotiation.
We continue to compromise and are proposing meaningful rate increases that would continue to reimburse MSK at market-competitive rates similar to other peer health systems specializing in cancer care throughout the region.
We’re proposing rate increases that would continue to reimburse MSK similar to its peers throughout New York City and the surrounding region while balancing the affordability needs of consumers and employers.
Should we not reach an agreement, our number one priority is providing you with continued, uninterrupted access to the care you need. If you or a loved one are in the middle of ongoing treatment at an MSK facility or from one of its physicians at the time they go out of network, you may qualify 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. If you or someone in your family are in active treatment with an MSK provider at the time they go out of network, you may qualify for continuity of care.
Please call the number on your health plan ID card if you have questions about continuity of care, including whether you or a family member might be eligible. Our dedicated team of advocates is ready to support you and help answer any questions you might have.
Visit the FAQs page for additional information on continuity of care.
We understand how hard it can be for you and your family when a hospital or physician no longer participates in our network, especially for serious conditions like cancer. We want you to know we have a large network of hospitals and physicians specializing in cancer care in the Tri-State area should MSK leave our network.
We are fortunate to have a broad network of hospitals and physicians in New York City and throughout the Tri-State area that specialize in cancer care. Some of the hospitals and physicians that continue to remain in our network in the region are among the top health systems in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-25 top hospital rankings in the country for cancer care.
If you have questions or need assistance finding alternative providers in your area, please call the number on your health plan ID card. You can also use the provider directory at myuhc.com to search for alternative hospitals and physicians in your area.
We promise to keep you informed every step of the way as we work hard to reach an agreement that is affordable while providing continued, uninterrupted network access to MSK.
We have prepared an FAQs page to help answer any questions you or your family might have regarding our negotiation as well as important information regarding next steps, should MSK leave our network.