UNC Health-Cigna Contract Dispute Threatens In-Network Coverage for Thousands

A contract dispute between UNC Health and insurer Cigna remains unresolved, potentially causing thousands of patients to lose in-network coverage starting December 1.

UNC Health is continuing negotiations but has indicated that progress is slow, and the likelihood of UNC Health providers becoming out-of-network for Cigna members is increasing. Patients currently undergoing treatment may qualify for limited continuity of care if they coordinate with Cigna and submit required documentation. This contract lapse follows the expiration of their three-year agreement on November 30, with UNC Health signaling a need for a new agreement that Cigna has not yet agreed to, including disagreements over rate increases. UNC Health also faces out-of-network status with other insurers, including Humana and Health Care Service Corporation (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage plans starting January 1, 2026.

This situation reflects broader regional trends in North Carolina, where insurer-provider contract breakdowns — such as between UNC Health and UnitedHealthcare earlier in 2024, and WakeMed and UnitedHealthcare more recently — have led to substantial shifts in network access for patients. The WakeMed-UnitedHealthcare deal notably ended recently, with WakeMed now out-of-network for many UnitedHealthcare patients. These ongoing disputes highlight the complexity and market impact of contract negotiations in the healthcare insurance sector, influencing patient coverage, provider networks, and potential costs for care.