UnitedHealthcare Keeps Stony Brook Medicine & Memorial Sloan Kettering In-Network

Good news for UnitedHealthcare (UHC) members in New York: two of the region's most respected healthcare providers—Stony Brook Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)—will remain in-network following successful contract renewals.

Continued Access to Stony Brook Medicine

UnitedHealthcare has finalized a multi-year agreement with Stony Brook Medicine, ensuring that members will continue to have uninterrupted access to its hospitals and medical professionals throughout Long Island. The agreement applies to:

• Employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans

• Oxford commercial plans

• Medicare Advantage plans, including Group Retiree and Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP)

• UnitedHealthcare Community Plans (Medicaid)

• The Empire Plan

UHC is notifying impacted members by mail to confirm that Stony Brook remains part of their provider network.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Remains In-Network

Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) has also reached a new agreement with UHC. The renewal ensures continued in-network access for members enrolled in UHC and Oxford employer-sponsored commercial plans. MSK is one of the top cancer care centers in the country, and the agreement avoids disruption for patients in active treatment or planning future care.

What This Means for Employers and Members

• Care remains uninterrupted: Patients can continue seeing their current doctors and specialists at both institutions.

• In-network cost protections stay in place: Members avoid the higher out-of-pocket costs typically associated with out-of-network providers.

• Renewal season stability: HR teams and benefits administrators can proceed with confidence when finalizing 2025 health plans.

Action Steps for HR and Benefits Teams

• Communicate clearly: Let employees know there will be no change in access to either provider.

• Update materials: If plan summaries or FAQs referenced potential disruptions, now is the time to revise them.

• Reassure early: A quick mention in an email or meeting can prevent employee confusion or concern.

Behind the Negotiations

Earlier this year, both Stony Brook and MSK were at risk of leaving the UHC network after requesting significant rate increases. Had negotiations broken down, coverage would have ended as early as July. Thanks to the finalized agreements—and New York State's required "cooling-off" period for certain network changes—members will experience no disruption.

Clear Communication Builds Confidence

For employees, continuity of care and cost predictability are top concerns when it comes to health benefits. By maintaining network relationships with both Stony Brook and MSK, UHC has helped eliminate unnecessary stress during an already complex renewal period.

If you'd like help updating benefit documents or communicating this development to your team, contact Susan Wiener Enterprises at 631-385-9602 or reach out via our contact page.