UNC Health-Cigna standoff could leave patients out of network by Dec. 1
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- UNC Health and Cigna face contract deadlock that may drop coverage Dec. 1
- About 65,000 Cigna members received notices urging insurance and care options
- Patients hospitalized, pregnant or in active treatment may get temporary continuity
An ongoing contract dispute between UNC Health and health insurer Cigna remains unresolved, raising the prospect that thousands of patients could lose in-network coverage as soon as Dec. 1.
As of midday Friday, UNC Health says it’s continuing efforts to reach a “new, fair” agreement with Cigna through the holiday weekend. But “progress has been difficult.”
“It’s increasingly likely that as of Dec. 1, UNC Health hospitals, clinics and providers will be out of network for Cigna members,” said UNC Health spokesperson Alan M. Wolf.
That will mean higher costs to see its doctors and care teams.
Cigna did not respond to a request for comment.
UNC Health has sent notices to roughly 65,000 Cigna members, alerting them to the potential coverage lapse.
Wolf said some patients, such as those who are hospitalized, pregnant or undergoing an active course of treatment before Dec. 1, may qualify for “continuity of care” through Cigna for a limited time.
“Patients must contact Cigna directly to determine eligibility and submit the required forms,” he said.
In July, UNC Health announced that its three-year agreement with Cigna expires on Nov. 30.
“Leaders at UNC Health have engaged with Cigna regarding the expectations for a new agreement for nearly two years, with the goal of completing these discussions well in advance of the Nov. 30 expiration date,” said a July news release. “Unfortunately, Cigna is not willing to engage in meaningful discussion or commit to patient care that UNC Health requires.”
At the time, Cigna denied UNC’s characterization of the negotiations.
“It is disappointing that UNC Health is making inaccurate claims and appears to be stoking fear with our shared patients as a negotiating tactic,” the company said in in July in an emailed statement to The N&O.
“Despite the fact that UNC Health is demanding an approximate 32% rate increase over three years, the negotiations are moving forward in good faith to reach a fair and reasonable agreement for all.”
As of Jan. 1, 2026, UNC Health will be out-of-network with Humana, WellCare, and Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC/formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage plans.
Humana North Carolina State Employee Health Benefit Plan (Medicare Advantage for retirees) members will continue to be seen with no increase in cost.
A growing trend
UNC Health’s dispute with Cigna is part of a broader Triangle trend where hospital–insurer contract breakdowns threaten patients’ in‑network access.
In April 2024, a parallel dispute unfolded between UNC Health and UnitedHealthcare, but they reached a last‑minute, long‑term agreement that kept UNC Health hospitals and clinics in‑network for UnitedHealthcare patients.
More recently, a conflict between WakeMed and UnitedHealthcare failed to reach a deal by deadline.
WakeMed is now officially out of network with UnitedHealthcare for most patients as of Nov. 15, 2025, according to its website.
They’re no longer covered at WakeMed’s hospitals, specialty providers, and facilities under UnitedHealthcare’s commercial and Medicare Advantage plans.
