Sloan Kettering Cancer Patients Might Lose Insurance Benefits: Report

NEW YORK CITY, NY —Many patients receiving cancer treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City might lose their insurance coverage due to a "financial dispute" between the hospital and Cigna, according to a report in The New York Post.

The hospital shared the news in a note to patients — "including those seriously ill with Stage 4 cancer," per the Post — on Dec. 1, writing that Cigna "does not plan to renew their contract as an in-network insurance provider in 2024."

The current contract has been extended to Feb. 15, the outlet reported, adding that neither the hospital nor the insurance company would provide the number of patients who would be affected if the contract does not renew.

"We have been doing everything we can to reach a fair agreement with Cigna," Memorial Sloan Kettering's chief executive Lisa De Angelis wrote in the letter to patients, which was obtained in full by the Post. "MSK faced major cost increases in recent years and Cigna is not willing to help cover these costs. As a result, we have not been able to reach an agreement that allows us to provide the very best cancer care at low cost to our patients."

To put pressure on Cigna, De Angelis wrote that the hospital 'encourages' patients to call Cigna at the number on the back of their insurance cards "to tell them you want to keep access to MSK."

Read the full report in The New York Post.