Cigna–UNC Health Contract Dispute Continues, Affecting 50,000 Patients

HEALTH

CHAPEL HILL – Tens of thousands of Triangle residents remain caught in the middle of an ongoing contract dispute between Cigna Health Plan and UNC Health, which includes UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, UNC Rex in Raleigh, and dozens of clinics statewide.

UNC’s current agreement with Cigna expires on November 30, 2025. If a new agreement isn’t reached by then, all Cigna plans will be considered out-of-network starting December 1. “We urge patients to consider other insurance options if possible,” Director, Media Relations, UNC Health/UNC Medicine recently told TLR.

‘We announced back in July that UNC Health was in contract discussions with Cigna,”“UNC Health is continuing efforts to reach a new, fair agreement with Cigna that’s consistent with our relationships with other insurance plans and supports the high-quality care that patients deserve,” said Wolf.

Unfortunately, progress has been difficult, Wolf said.

“Our goal is to reach a fair agreement that ensures patients can continue receiving care at UNC Health without interruption, unexpected costs, delays in care or denials of care,” said Wolf.

“We recognize that this situation will be concerning and overwhelming for patients. We will work closely with them to avoid any disruption in care,” he said.

In July, UNC media reported that “Cigna is not willing to engage in meaningful discussion or commit to patient care that UNC Health requires.”

Cigna, countered in a statement to The News & Observer and WRAL, said UNC is demanding rate increases “well above market levels” and that its priority is keeping health care affordable for North Carolina families and employers.

Both organizations have stated they are still actively negotiating and hope to reach a new multi-year contract before the end of the year.

Patients in active treatment—such as those receiving cancer therapy, prenatal care, or scheduled surgeries—may qualify for continuity-of-care exceptions that temporarily preserve in-network rates.

UNC Health will continue to provide updates as they develop. For more information about insurance coverage accepted by UNC Health, visit unchealth.org/records-insurance/insurance.

Michelle Cassell is a seasoned reporter who has covered everything from crime to hurricanes and local politics to human interest over the course of 35 years. As editor, she hopes to encourage writers of a wide range of backgrounds and interests in TLR’s coverage of Southern Orange County news. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocalReporter.press.