Norton Healthcare and Cigna reach last-minute agreement, ending dispute that threatened care for thousands

Norton Healthcare and Cigna Healthcare announced Thursday they have reached a new agreement, effective Oct. 1.

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A new agreement between Norton Healthcare and Cigna Healthcare averted what could have been a healthcare crisis for thousands of patients across the Louisville area.

The agreement ensures that patients with Cigna insurance will remain in-network when receiving care at Norton Healthcare facilities and Norton Children's Hospital, ending a contentious contract dispute that had left families- particularly those with medically complex children- facing an uncertain future.

"We appreciate the community's patience throughout this process," Norton Healthcare said in a statement. "Our focus remains on providing uninterrupted access to high-quality care."

Norton-Cigna contract dispute leaves families of medically complex children in limbo

A Louisville mother of a heart transplant recipient fears losing access to the only pediatric hospital in the area, as the battle over rates continues. “I’m Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign

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What was at risk

The contract dispute had created significant anxiety for families who rely on Norton's specialized care. Parents of medically complex children were caught in limbo as the deadline approached, forced to weigh whether to switch insurance plans, find new healthcare providers, or face potentially thousands of dollars in out-of-network costs.

Many families had established long-term relationships with Norton specialists who understood their children's complex medical histories. The prospect of starting over with new providers- or paying prohibitive out-of-network fees- had left parents scrambling for solutions in the weeks leading up to the Oct. 1 deadline.

What do patients need to know

Norton Healthcare emphasized that patients who received prior notices about potential changes to their coverage do not need to take any action. Coverage will continue as usual under the new agreement.

The resolution comes as welcome news for the Louisville community, where Norton Healthcare serves as one of the region's largest healthcare providers. The system includes five hospitals and numerous outpatient facilities across Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

Details of the agreement's terms were not disclosed by either party.

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