Well, that’s just great. United Healthcare, our family insurer, has ended negotiations with Johns Hopkins to renew their contract, which means that Hopkins is now considered out-of-network. According to an email from Hopkins this morning,

This is not about money or small administrative issues. United’s frequent use of pre-authorizations and care denials delays critical treatments, takes away time that Johns Hopkins doctors and nurses should be spending on patient care, and puts patients’ health at risk. We will not sign a contract that allows an insurance company to prioritize their profits over our patients’ health.

I’m much more willing to take Hopkins’ word on this than UH’s, given the stellar reputation insurance companies have these days. However, I would estimate 3/4 of our family’s current doctors are within the Hopkins system, including my cancer team. And my final checkup is scheduled for next April.