Contract talks between Bon Secours and UnitedHealthCare have hit a standstill, which could impact 30,000 patients.

Bon Secours and UnitedHealthcare are currently in negotiations for a contract that is anticipated to expire this year. Bon Secours stated on Monday that discussions with UHC have been ongoing since January. However, despite several months of efforts, the two parties remain significantly apart in their agreements.

The negotiations encompass contracts for various health plans, including commercial (employer-sponsored), Medicare Advantage, Exchange (Market/ACA), and Veterans Community Care Network (VACCN) plans. According to Bon Secours, most of these contracts are scheduled to expire on July 1, 2025, which could impact approximately 30,000 patients in the Greenville area.

In a statement, Bon Secours noted, “If an agreement cannot be finalized by July 1, our providers and facilities may no longer be part of the network for the UnitedHealthcare health plans mentioned.” This includes Bon Secours Hospital, Emergency Care, and other care facilities in South Carolina.

They expressed concerns about UnitedHealthcare’s leadership not engaging directly with them, which threatens to disrupt care for many patients relying on their services, from primary care to surgery. “We’ve made numerous attempts to secure a fair agreement reflecting today’s healthcare landscape, but UnitedHealthcare continues to undercompensate us compared to market standards,” shared Matt Caldwell, president of Bon Secours Greenville Market. “Our main goal is to reach an agreement that meets the current healthcare demands and enables our patients to receive the quality care they expect and deserve. We’re dedicated to preventing disruptions in our patient network.”

Regardless of the negotiations’ outcome, Bon Secours assured that it would continue providing emergency care to all patients and maintain relationships with all other major commercial insurance providers in South Carolina. UnitedHealthcare confirmed that they are actively negotiating with Bon Secours. In a statement, UHC remarked, “Bon Secours St. Francis is asking for a price hike of nearly 32% in its commercial plan over the next three years, along with substantial increases for the Medicare Advantage Plan, which is deemed the most expensive in the South Carolina Network.”

Should an agreement not be established, Bon Secours St. Francis doctors and hospitals will exit the selected UnitedHealthcare benefits plan networks, affecting the following:

• Doctor – Effective July 1, 2025, impacting UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans including Group Retirement and Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP).
• Hospital – UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans (including group retirees and dual special needs plans), effective October 1, 2025.
• Doctor + Hospital – UnitedHealthcare Employers sponsored commercial plans on July 1, 2025, encompassing Exefince, UMR, and Surest.

UHC had proposed extending the current contract, but Bon Secours reportedly declined. They indicated that they feel Bon Secours’ actions are causing unnecessary anxiety among those they serve. Wyff News 4 will continue to provide updates as more information emerges from both parties.