What is the status of my UnitedHealthcare insurance at Stamford Health?

The current agreement between UnitedHealthcare and Stamford Health (both Stamford Hospital and Stamford Health Medical Group) expired on January 31, 2026. Following the 60-day period required by law, Stamford Health will no longer be an in-network provider for UnitedHealthcare benefit plans as of April 1, 2026.

Which UnitedHealthcare health plans are affected?

All health plans including Commercial HMO and PPO, Oxford plans, and Medicare Advantage will be affected. Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) are not affected.

Can I continue to receive my scheduled treatment at Stamford Health?

If you are currently in active treatment , such as those patients who are hospitalized, pregnant, or receiving chemotherapy, prior to the contract expiration date you may qualify for Continuity of Care services through UnitedHealthcare. Continuity of Care services allow patients to continue receiving medically necessary care from Stamford Health at in-network rates for a limited period of time. UnitedHealthcare will reach out to you about a Continuity of Care plan so that you can continue to receive your treatment at the in-network level. You can contact UnitedHealthcare at the phone number on the back of your identification card to discuss your eligibility. If you are not currently in active treatment but want to schedule services to take place after April 1, 2026, you can continue to receive services from Stamford Health. However, your UnitedHealthcare benefit plan may require you to pay higher out-of-pocket expenses. If you need emergency treatment , you can seek care at Stamford Hospital at any time. By law, your coverage for emergency care will not be affected in any way. UnitedHealthcare will provide in-network coverage for all emergency services performed in the emergency room.

What can I do to ensure that I have continued in-network access to Stamford Health?

If you would like to continue with in-network access to the high-quality care that Stamford Health provides, we participate with all major health plans such as Aetna, Cigna, ConnectiCare, and Anthem. You can contact your employer’s Human Resources Department to discuss your options. If you chose a Medicare Advantage plan, the open enrollment period is from January 1 - March 31, 2026, at which time you may switch to another Medicare Advantage plan. You can visit www.medicare.gov to enroll and guarantee your in-network access to Stamford Health. For more information on Medicare Advantage, you can visit 2026 Medicare Open Enrollment Period Dates | Medicare Enrollment Deadline | MedicareAdvantage.com .

What will my deductible and co-insurance or copayments be if Stamford Health is out-of-network?

While you can still receive care from your Stamford Health provider, UnitedHealthcare imposes penalties on patients for using out-of-network services so you may have higher co-insurance or deductibles. Should you have questions about out-of-network estimates, you can contact the Stamford Health Call Center at 855.775.7898. As always, please reach out to your Stamford Health physician’s office with any questions about your medical care.

If Stamford Health goes out-of-network with UnitedHealthcare, how long will it be for?

We will continue to negotiate with UnitedHealthcare in good faith and are working hard to reach an agreement that reimburses Stamford Health fairly for the care we provide. We hope that Stamford Health and UnitedHealthcare will be able to reach agreement quickly and we will keep you advised of any new information.

What other insurance plans do you accept?

We participate with all major health plans such as Aetna, Cigna, ConnectiCare, and Anthem. You can find a full list and information on accepted insurance plans here .

Stamford Health | UnitedHealthcare Negotiations

UnitedHealthcare Contract Update

Updated February 2, 2026

A Message to Our Patients and Community

We know that conversations about insurance contracts can be stressful and unsettling, especially when they raise questions about access to care you rely on and trust. Please know that our patients are at the center of every decision we make. We are sharing this update with you because we believe you deserve clarity, respect, and honesty about matters that may affect your care.

Stamford Health is currently negotiating a new contract with UnitedHealthcare and we remain hopeful that an agreement will be reached. Going out of network is something we take seriously. It is always a last resort, and we are working diligently to avoid that outcome while advocating for terms that allow us to continue delivering the high quality, safe, and compassionate care our community deserves.

The following information is intended to help you understand what is happening, why it matters, and what we are doing on your behalf.

UnitedHealthcare Raises Patient Premiums by 13%, but Asks Stamford Health to Reduce Its Rates

Our goal in these negotiations is simple: to reach the same type of reasonable rate increases we have already agreed to with all other major commercial insurers such as Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, and ConnectiCare.

Despite public statements from UnitedHealthcare, Stamford Health is not asking for a 30% rate increase. That claim is false and misleading. In fact, UnitedHealthcare’s initial proposal to Stamford Health was for us to accept a rate cut.

UnitedHealthcare is part of one of the largest companies in the country, reporting $344 billion in annual revenue. At the same time, Connecticut regulators have approved significant premium increases for commercial insurance plans, including those offered by UnitedHealthcare, with increases of approximately 13% in 2026. These approved increases will be passed on to patients and employers through higher monthly premiums.

The rate increases Stamford Health is seeking are far below these approved premium increases.

It is contradictory for UnitedHealthcare to suggest that provider reimbursement is the primary cost driver while simultaneously pursuing and receiving premium increases that directly affect Connecticut families and employers.

Hospitals Rely on Fair Contracts to Provide Care

Providing high quality, around the clock healthcare has become significantly more expensive and those costs are largely outside the control of hospitals and caregivers.

Healthcare labor costs continue to rise as we compete nationally for skilled nurses, physicians, and clinical staff and ensure our workforce is supported with fair wages and benefits. At the same time, the cost of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, equipment, and clinical technology has increased substantially.

These pressures reflect the reality of operating intensive care units, emergency departments, surgical programs, and advanced diagnostic services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Unlike many industries, hospitals cannot scale back services or close during off hours. We must always be ready to care for our community.

Stamford Health’s proposal reflects these realities and aligns with agreements reached with other insurers, ensuring we can continue to invest in safe, reliable, high quality care for our patients.

UnitedHealthcare’s Deny and Delay Practices Drive Up Costs for Patients and Hospitals

We must advocate for fair rates because harmful deny and delay practices by UnitedHealthcare mean that even modest rate increases on paper are often not fully realized in practice. These practices include requiring excessive prior authorizations, delaying payment for covered services, and denying claims that meet clinical and contractual requirements. This forces hospitals and physician offices to spend considerable time and resources appealing decisions simply to be paid for care that was already provided.

As a result, administrative burden and operational costs rise, while payments are delayed or never fully recovered. Stamford Health will not accept an agreement that embeds underpayment and then requires caregivers to fight to be reimbursed for care that patients were promised and deserve.

Who We Are as a Local, Not for Profit Health System

Since 1896, Stamford Health has been a cornerstone of care in our community, delivering high-quality, patient-centered healthcare to all, including some of our most vulnerable populations.

As an independent, local, not for profit health system:

The overwhelming majority of our revenue is dedicated to expanding access to healthcare, with more than 50% reinvested directly back into the community through good jobs with fair wages.
As part of our commitment to our mission, we provide more than $170 million annually in uncompensated care, more than any other hospital in the state of Connecticut as a proportion of our revenue.
We are proud to be the #1 hospital in Fairfield County according to U.S. News & World Report, and one of the few hospitals in the state with Magnet status, and Planetree Gold Certification for person-centered care, reflecting our commitment to safety, innovation, and an exceptional patient experience.

What This Means For You

We are doing everything in our power to continue caring for you, and we are sharing this information now because we value the trust you have placed in us. Please note that this situation will not impact you until April 1, 2026, and we hope to have a contract in place before then.

Stamford Health remains committed to ongoing negotiations and hopes to reach a fair agreement soon to ensure continued access to high-quality care. Please check back here for updates and look out for future communications from Stamford Health.

Questions or Need Assistance?

For assistance or questions, patients can contact the Stamford Health Call Center at 855.775.7898 or reach out to their Stamford Health physician’s office.

FAQs UnitedHealthcare Contract & Coverage

What is the status of my UnitedHealthcare insurance at Stamford Health?

The current agreement between UnitedHealthcare and Stamford Health (both Stamford Hospital and Stamford Health Medical Group) expired on January 31, 2026. Following the 60-day period required by law, Stamford Health will no longer be an in-network provider for UnitedHealthcare benefit plans as of April 1, 2026.
Which UnitedHealthcare health plans are affected?

All health plans including Commercial HMO and PPO, Oxford plans, and Medicare Advantage will be affected. Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) are not affected.
Can I continue to receive my scheduled treatment at Stamford Health?
If you are currently in active treatment, such as those patients who are hospitalized, pregnant, or receiving chemotherapy, prior to the contract expiration date you may qualify for Continuity of Care services through UnitedHealthcare. Continuity of Care services allow patients to continue receiving medically necessary care from Stamford Health at in-network rates for a limited period of time. UnitedHealthcare will reach out to you about a Continuity of Care plan so that you can continue to receive your treatment at the in-network level. You can contact UnitedHealthcare at the phone number on the back of your identification card to discuss your eligibility.

If you are not currently in active treatment but want to schedule services to take place after April 1, 2026, you can continue to receive services from Stamford Health. However, your UnitedHealthcare benefit plan may require you to pay higher out-of-pocket expenses.

If you need emergency treatment, you can seek care at Stamford Hospital at any time. By law, your coverage for emergency care will not be affected in any way. UnitedHealthcare will provide in-network coverage for all emergency services performed in the emergency room.
What can I do to ensure that I have continued in-network access to Stamford Health?
If you would like to continue with in-network access to the high-quality care that Stamford Health provides, we participate with all major health plans such as Aetna, Cigna, ConnectiCare, and Anthem.

You can contact your employer’s Human Resources Department to discuss your options.

If you chose a Medicare Advantage plan, the open enrollment period is from January 1 - March 31, 2026, at which time you may switch to another Medicare Advantage plan. You can visit www.medicare.gov to enroll and guarantee your in-network access to Stamford Health. For more information on Medicare Advantage, you can visit 2026 Medicare Open Enrollment Period Dates | Medicare Enrollment Deadline | MedicareAdvantage.com.
What will my deductible and co-insurance or copayments be if Stamford Health is out-of-network?
While you can still receive care from your Stamford Health provider, UnitedHealthcare imposes penalties on patients for using out-of-network services so you may have higher co-insurance or deductibles.

Should you have questions about out-of-network estimates, you can contact the Stamford Health Call Center at 855.775.7898.

As always, please reach out to your Stamford Health physician’s office with any questions about your medical care.
If Stamford Health goes out-of-network with UnitedHealthcare, how long will it be for?

We will continue to negotiate with UnitedHealthcare in good faith and are working hard to reach an agreement that reimburses Stamford Health fairly for the care we provide. We hope that Stamford Health and UnitedHealthcare will be able to reach agreement quickly and we will keep you advised of any new information.
What other insurance plans do you accept?

We participate with all major health plans such as Aetna, Cigna, ConnectiCare, and Anthem. You can find a full list and information on accepted insurance plans here.