Tenet Healthcare and Cigna have successfully reached a new contract that guarantees uninterrupted in-network access for Cigna commercial plan members to Palm Beach Health Network hospitals and providers. This agreement is crucial for over 1.3 million Floridians, as it averts potential disruptions in their healthcare services.
The resolution comes just ahead of the expiration date of the national Tenet-Cigna contract on December 31, 2025. Without this new agreement, Cigna members would have lost in-network coverage for non-emergency care beginning January 1, 2026. Such a loss would have included crucial access to Palm Beach County’s two Level I trauma centers, as well as the region’s only children’s hospital.
A spokesperson for Palm Beach Health Network stated, “Throughout this process, our priority was to safeguard access to care for our patients.” The support from local employers and the community underscored the vital need for network choice for Cigna members.
The negotiations centered around critical issues related to patient protections and care standards. Tenet pushed for assurances that healthcare decisions would be made by physicians rather than relying on computer algorithms—a concern that has drawn criticism towards Cigna following recent investigations and lawsuits. Negotiators also addressed the importance of prior authorization protections and equitable reimbursement for emergency care services.
In the event that the contract had not been extended, Cigna members would still have been able to visit Palm Beach Health Network emergency rooms, but they would have faced substantially increased out-of-pocket costs for scheduled appointments and elective procedures.
Background surrounding Cigna reveals that the insurer has come under regulatory scrutiny for its use of automated systems in prior authorization decisions. Recently, California regulators levied a $500,000 fine against Cigna for denying claims without suitable physician reviews, and the company is currently defending itself in a federal lawsuit regarding the use of automated systems to refuse patient claims.
With the new contract in place, Cigna members can expect continuity of care, ensuring they retain access to reliable healthcare providers and facilities within Palm Beach County. While specific terms of the contract remain undisclosed, Tenet reaffirmed its dedication to patient-centered principles, signaling a positive step forward for both organizations and their members.