Overview
- Fairview says its five‑year commercial contract with UnitedHealthcare ends Dec. 31, putting roughly 100,000 to 125,000 Minnesota patients at risk of losing in‑network access on Jan. 1, 2026.
- Fairview has begun mailing notices to affected commercial members as talks continue over reimbursement rates and administrative terms.
- UnitedHealthcare says Fairview seeks a price increase of more than 23% over three years, which it estimates would add about $121 million in costs.
- The insurer emphasizes that many Minnesota members are in self‑funded employer plans and estimates employers could pay an additional $1 million to $6.3 million.
- Fairview argues recent reimbursement growth has lagged inflation and labor costs and contends UnitedHealthcare’s denials, prior authorizations, and payment delays create barriers to care.