Department of Budget and Management Health Benefits

Please Note: Retirees with Medicare may disregard this notice.

Dear Health Plan Participant:

The State of Maryland was advised that negotiations between Johns Hopkins and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) did not result in a new contract before the deadline of August 25, 2025. While we were hopeful for a resolution, Johns Hopkins has withdrawn from an "in-network" participating provider arrangement with UHC as of August 25, 2025. This means that providers in the Johns Hopkins health system are considered out-of-network if you are enrolled with United Healthcare. If you are a retiree with Medicare, your network is unaffected.

While the State is not a party to negotiations between Johns Hopkins and UnitedHealthcare, as an employer the State considers it an obligation to notify Participants of the potential for this significant change to the providers from whom UHC members can receive Plan benefits at the in-network level.

UHC patients of Johns Hopkins may submit a request for continuance of care (COC) at the in-network benefit level for a period of time under certain circumstances.

Continuance of Care Details

Here are some things to note:

• Johns Hopkins Primary Care Physicians (PCP) have agreed to continue providing care for 90 days.
• Patients receiving ongoing treatment at Johns Hopkins for serious or complex conditions can apply to UnitedHealthcare to continue receiving in-network care with their physician.
• The member will complete the continuance of care form (physician signature is required) and submit it to UHC for review and consideration. Download the Continuance of Care Form.
• UHC has extended the time to complete and return the form. That timeline is currently open ended.

Your Options

A change in the provider network is not considered a qualifying status change that would allow a change in carrier. You may:

• Apply for continuance of care (COC)
• Select a new provider
• Change plans during Open Enrollment, which will be held October 14 through November 7, 2025, for an effective date of January 1, 2026.

Questions and Updates

For questions, please contact United Healthcare directly at 1-800-382-7513 or visit www.uhc.com/hopkins.

A copy of this letter and the continuance of care form are also available on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) website: dbm.maryland.gov/benefits.

Should there be a change in the situation, the DBM website will be updated.