Only a month after dropping University of Chicago Medicine from its network, Chicago-based Land of Lincoln Health reinstated the organization, once again providing healthcare coverage for several hundred patients seeking treatment at the highly regarded health system.
Land of Lincoln, which was created under the Affordable Care Act to address competition and healthcare costs, cut U of C Medicine from its network March 1. But now it has reinstated the health system, with representatives saying it always had intended to continue offering coverage at U of C.
“Land of Lincoln Health strives to provide high-quality, affordable health insurance to its members,” said Land of Lincoln spokesman Dennis O'Sullivan in a statement. “This includes providing rich benefits to members and offering a robust network of healthcare providers. It has always been Land of Lincoln Health's full intention to continue offering coverage for the University of Chicago.”
U of C Medicine told patients in a December letter that it would no longer be in Land of Lincoln's network, but now will have to notify patients that they are once again covered by the insurer.
“We're gratified several hundred University of Chicago Medicine patients who were enrolled in Land of Lincoln will be able to receive our in-network care,” said U of C spokeswoman Ashley Heher in a statement. “We're in the process of individually notifying all our current and former Land of Lincoln patients about this latest update.”
In February, two U of C patients filed a class-action lawsuit against Land of Lincoln after it announced it would no longer provide coverage at the system.
"Illinois Obamacare plan reinstates U of C Medicine coverage" originally appeared in Crain's Chicago Business.
