NEW ORLEANS — Thousands of people who have UnitedHealthcare insurance could find many of the hospitals in Metairie, the Westbank, New Orleans East, and downtown out of financial reach if a contract dispute is not settled soon with LCMC Health.

The negotiations are over how much the hospitals will be reimbursed for services.

The contract dispute affects people who have UnitedHealthcare through work, or on the exchange through the Affordable Care Act.

And it affects whether you pay out of network for LCMC hospitals, not doctor visits, even if the doctor's clinic is inside a hospital.

LCMC says United wants to pay less than inflation. United says its reimbursement is at market-competitive rates.

You may have noticed the full, two-page ad in Sunday’s newspaper. LCMC Health and dozens of d

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