ANNAPOLIS, Md. —

Maryland state leaders are exploring options in an effort to prevent another impasse between health providers and insurers.

As open enrollment for next year's coverage begins, there are no new negotiations scheduled between Johns Hopkins Medicine and UnitedHealthcare, which ended contract talks in September .

As a result of the contract dispute, some 60,000 patients across Maryland lost in-network medical coverage and they remain in limbo as they try to find new doctors .

Montgomery County Delegate Bonnie Cullison, D-District 19, and other state lawmakers said they hope to find solutions.

"It's very discouraging because these are two health care giants, Johns Hopkins and United," Cullison said. "You want them to be negotiating in good faith, and you want them to c

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