Carson Tahoe Health President and CEO Michelle Joy on the front patio of the Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center on Aug. 13, 2024.
Photo by Scott Neuffer.
Following news that Carson Tahoe Health would not renew its contract with United Healthcare past May 30, CTH is working toward a temporary solution for state workers who have United health insurance, CTH officials said Monday.
“CTH is working in good faith to create a solution that extends United coverage for PEBP (Public Employees’ Benefits Program) members through Dec. 31, 2025,” said Kitty McKay, CTH vice president of patient and community experience.
Details on the extension or negotiations with United, which insures state workers, were not available.
Last year, CTH announced it would not continue its contract with United and would no longer be an in-network provider as of May 31, 2025.
“Over many of these years, we have partnered with United Healthcare and gratefully provided you with nearby care that is easily accessed,” CTH CEO Michelle Joy previously said. “Increasingly however, we are reliant upon the decisions of insurance companies for care and livelihood.
“The complexities of navigating insurance claims is growing, reimbursements are declining, and every day on the front lines this translates into increasing insurance authorization denials and possible delays in physician-directed treatments, as well as payment barriers making an ongoing relationship insurmountable.”
At the time, Gov. Joe Lombardo’s Office issued a statement saying state leadership was meeting with both parties involved to address the issue.
Last week, United Healthcare said it was still negotiating with CTH.
“We remain actively engaged in good-faith negotiation with Carson Tahoe Health,” a United spokesperson said March 17. “It remains our top priority to reach an agreement that is affordable for consumers and employers while ensuring continued, uninterrupted network access to the health system.”
Carson Tahoe Health serves Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties as well as patients from the greater region.
According to the Carson City Chamber of Commerce, government (state and local) employs over 11,500 in the city. The largest employers include the Nevada National Guard and state departments of corrections, transportation and employment security, among others.
Carson Tahoe Health, a nonprofit, is also one of the city’s largest employers.
United Health Group, which runs United Healthcare, reported revenues of approximately $400.3 billion and profits of more than $14 billion in 2024, according to a Jan. 16 news release from the company.
Even if CTH is no longer in-network with United, “The one exception is when you seek emergency care,” according to CTH.
“In accordance with the federal No Surprises Act, emergency services must be provided as in network for those covered by health insurance through an employer (including a federal employees health benefits plan), the federal health insurance marketplace, a state-based marketplace or other individual market coverage,” says CTH’s website.
For information, go to carsontahoe.com/insurance.html.