Cigna and Toledo, Ohio-based ProMedica are out of network as of April 1.
Cigna commercial insurance is no longer in-network at five of ProMedica's Ohio hospitals, its physician group offices and urgent care centers, according to ProMedica's website.
A spokesperson for ProMedica told Becker's the system " invested a lot of time, energy and effort" into negotiations with Cigna.
"If Cigna had come to the negotiation table with reasonable and competitive terms that reflect the current realities of healthcare, we would not be in this situation," the spokesperson said. "The fact of the matter is that health systems must have reasonable contracts with payers if they are to deliver high-quality care — reimbursements must cover our rising equipment, pharmaceutical and staffing expenses."
Contract negotiation disputes between payers and providers that were reported in the media increased 69% between 2022 and 2023, according data published by FTI consulting in January.
In a statement to Fox affiliate WTOL, a Cigna spokesperson said it is "disappointing that ProMedica is forcing our shared patients to lose in-network access to their facilities."
"[ProMedica's] unreasonable demands for a 15% rate increase would make healthcare much more expensive for the people we serve," the spokesperson said. "We hope that ProMedica will step up for patients and reconsider their decision to leave our network."
The ProMedica spokesperson told Becker's the system is open to continuing negotiations with Cigna "provided the insurance company demonstrates a sincere willingness to reach a fair agreement."