On Wednesday, January 06, 2021, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. joined Amy Martinez, a concerned Bronx resident, to call for United Healthcare to come to the negotiating table with an agreement to keep Montefiore Health System in their network.
United Healthcare’s and Montefiore Health System’ expired as of January 01, 2021, leaving patients with United/Oxford commercial health plans, United Medicaid Community Plans, and United Medicare DSNP Plans without in-network access to Montefiore’s health system.
“The health of our constituents is a priority and the withdrawal of in-network healthcare benefits of Bronx subscribers by United Healthcare, in the middle of a pandemic, is unconscionable and unacceptable,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. “The actions of United Healthcare have shown us that their profit margins matter more than residents like Amy Martinez, and thousands of others across the Bronx and around New York, having access to the care they trust at Montefiore.”
Montefiore Health System serves a unique and diverse population, and has been providing care to the Bronx community for over 100 years. Throughout this pandemic, Montefiore has been on the frontlines helping our borough work to fight CoViD-19 as well as having invested over $300 million in 2020 to expand services for Bronx communities throughout this pandemic.
“Montefiore, like many hospitals, has weathered the ravages of CoViD-19, but they have wavered their support to the residents of our borough,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. “It is time for United Healthcare to show the same support for the health and wellness of Bronx residents that Montefiore has continuously shown and reach a fair agreement that ends this disruption to people’s health insurance coverage.”
“During a pandemic, it is imperative that patients – particularly patients in communities of color which have been disproportionately impacted by CoViD-19 – have access to the best possible quality of care that could receive. It is time for United Healthcare to come to the negotiating table and reach a good faith agreement with Montefiore Health System. This disruption cannot continue. Westchester County residents need to rest easy again knowing if the fortunes change for themselves or their loved ones that they will still be covered,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer.
.
