UnitedHealthcare is extending its contract with Syracuse, N.Y.-based Upstate University Hospital by two months as the sides look to avoid a coverage disruption for about 20,000 patients, syracuse.com reported Dec. 29.
The contract was set to expire Dec. 31, but is now extended until Feb. 28, according to the report.
UnitedHealthcare previously said that Upstate is seeking a significant price increase that would make it one of the most expensive hospitals in New York for its Medicare Advantage plan. Upstate said the cost of healthcare and demand for experienced staff have risen nationwide. It also said it has increased pay for employees and managed rising supply costs while dealing with the financial challenges of the pandemic.