We are simply asking for a fair rate that allows us to provide the best care for kids who have highly specialized medical needs.
St. Petersburg, Fla. (PRWEB) May 31, 2017
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital’s sole focus is to provide the highest quality and safest care for children, however, a recent insurance change is impacting more than 10,000 pediatric patients. In the first contract renegotiation in more than five years between Johns Hopkins All Children’s and United Healthcare, an agreement has not been reached, leaving children with limited options for pediatric care in the region.
As of May 11, 2017, United Healthcare now considers hospital-based services and provider (physician) services at Johns Hopkins All Children's as out-of-network. The hospital has asked United to pay a rate in line with what other insurance providers pay in order to focus on its number one priority – taking care of children.
“We are a not-for-profit teaching hospital that is always reinvesting in the care of kids,” said Jonathan Ellen, M.D., president and vice dean of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. “We are simply asking for a fair rate that allows us to provide the best care for kids who have highly specialized medical needs. We need to continue to make investments to improve care, develop better therapies, find cures and educate the next generation of pediatric specialists.”
“My son was diagnosed with an inflammatory auto-immune disease which has almost cost him his life,” says Krista Lemon, mother of a patient covered by United Healthcare. “He has required highly specialized care, including major surgeries, nine hospitalizations, and many trips to the E.R. Thanks to Johns Hopkins All Children’s, we still have our boy. He continues to need specialists who are not only experts in treating children, but also knowledgeable about his care plan. We trust and depend on the amazing doctors at Johns Hopkins All Children’s, and for United to take away our right to this expert care for our son is a travesty. I will continue to fight for my child’s right to receive the medical care he deserves.”
Patients and families remain a top priority while Johns Hopkins All Children’s strives to reach a fair resolution with United. Hospital staff and physicians are working diligently and through extended hours to help families navigate this stressful time. A special phone line is available for United patient families, 727-767-8284 or 1-800-456-4543 x78284, and information is also available on the hospital’s website. Employers and families are invited to speak up to United and urge them to settle quickly for the sake of our children by visiting HopkinsAllChildrens.org/United.
About Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg is a leader in children’s health care, combining a legacy of compassionate care focused solely on children since 1926 with the innovation and experience of one of the world’s leading health care systems. The 259-bed teaching hospital, ranked as a U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospital, stands at the forefront of discovery, leading innovative research to cure and prevent childhood diseases while training the next generation of pediatric experts. With a network of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care centers and collaborative care provided by All Children’s Specialty Physicians at regional hospitals, Johns Hopkins All Children’s brings care closer to home. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital consistently keeps the patient and family at the center of care while continuing to expand its mission in treatment, research, education and advocacy. For more information, visit HopkinsAllChildrens.org.