Medicare Advantage patients impacted by a contract dispute between Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) are getting more time to figure out their next move.

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration has announced a special enrollment period so impacted policyholders can shop their coverage through April 30.

The special enrollment period is different from the current Medicare Advantage annual open enrollment period, which runs through March 31. 

What caused the rift?

The Medicare Advantage contract between LVHN and UHC ended on January 26, ending in-network access to LVHN providers for more than 5,400 UHC policyholders, a news release from Shapiro’s office said.

LVHN and UHC blame each other for the impasse.

LVHN, which is part of Jefferson Health, maintains that, since 2021, UnitedHealthcare has reduced its reimbursements by nearly 40 percent without agreement.

The insurance company denies that, and claims LVHN is the problem because it’s demanding a more than 20 percent price hike in the first year of the contract.

How to find help shopping your coverage

During the special enrollment period, older adults impacted by the contract dispute can get help through Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI), the state’s Medicare counseling program, Shapiro’s office said. It is available through the 52 Area Agencies on Aging.

Find your local office here. 

“Consumers should talk to a licensed insurance agent or broker or a PA MEDI counselor to evaluate whether staying in a Medicare Advantage plan or moving to an Original Medicare plan with Medigap coverage is in their best interest,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys, in the news release.

“It’s frustrating that insurers and provider groups can’t agree on reimbursement levels and leave Pennsylvanians just trying to maintain medical services or provider relationships holding the bag.” 

Pennsylvanians with questions about their insurance or who wish to file a complaint can call 1-866-PA-COMPLAINT (1-866-722-6675).

Another deadline looms

LVHN patients with employer-sponsored UHC commercial plans will face the same reality on April 26, when that contract is scheduled to end.

Those enrolled in the Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (VACCN) would also lose in-network coverage.

But the deadline isn’t universal across the board; some LVHN facilities will be out-of-network either sooner or later than April 26. UHC has posted a list on its website.

According to an update posted by UnitedHealthcare on February, negotiations between the two sides are continuing.Â