November 4, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
I write to share a few brief updates as we continue to navigate the impact of Highpoint Health’s out-of-network status with Cigna.
Q&A Resource
I’ve created a on our HR page to address common questions and to help you better understand your current options. As new information becomes available or additional questions are asked, I'll update this resource.
Open Enrollment
We are preparing for Open Enrollment to begin late next week or early the following, and I appreciate your patience as we’re working through this unexpected disruption. More information about enrollment dates and details will be published this week to ensure you have the most accurate and complete details before making benefit selections.
Please note: Should Cigna and Highpoint Health reach an agreement in the next couple of weeks, we will keep our current plans with Cigna through June 30, 2026 while continuing to explore broader options for the plan year beginning July 1.
Updates to Out-of-Network Benefits
Cigna has updated our out-of-network benefits to help reduce disruption for those utilizing Highpoint Health providers. While this change does not eliminate higher costs entirely, it should provide some relief for those who need to continue care with Highpoint providers in the near term. Please review the for more details. I will notify commonly used providers directly to share these benefit updates.
Thank you again for your continued patience, kindness, and understanding as we work through this challenging situation. I’ll share more updates as soon as they are available.
October 20, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
As of October 16, Highpoint Health is now out of network with Cigna. Cigna and Lifepoint Health have not yet reached an agreement, and no resolution timeline has been shared.
I remain in daily contact with both Cigna and Lifepoint as we continue to monitor progress and explore available options to reduce the immediate and near-term impacts on employees. I’ve also begun direct outreach to local providers, especially those that frequently see our employees and their families, to understand what support or flexibility they may be able to offer locally.
A few of the near-term possibilities we've requested and that are under review include:
For those with upcoming appointments at Highpoint Health facilities, please do not cancel care without first confirming your options. Because Highpoint is now considered out of network, in-network discounts do not automatically apply; however, providers are likely to provide self-pay discounts of 50% for prompt payment. If you receive care, please keep all documentation in case claims are later reprocessed should the parties reach a new, retro-active agreement.
If you have an upcoming procedure or service scheduled with a Highpoint Health provider, please let me know. I will do my best to provide individualized guidance when possible.
In light of these developments, we are delaying the start of Open Enrollment until early next month. This will allow time to evaluate our options fully and ensure that you have the most accurate information before making benefit plan decisions for the six-month period January through June, 2026. In the meantime, we are carefully evaluating what is known and what remains undetermined to identify the most appropriate path forward. This may include a move to another carrier, though that option is likely to carry financial implications that we will need to weigh carefully. Longer-term planning toward a more sustainable model is also underway and will continue as we navigate this disruption.
As always, I will share updates as soon as more information becomes available.
October 15, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
As we approach the scheduled contract termination between Highpoint Health and Cigna at 11:59 p.m. this evening, I want to provide a brief update. At this time, we have not received any indication of a finalized agreement or extension.
While we remain hopeful that the parties will reach either a last-minute extension or a retroactive agreement in the coming days, it is also possible that Highpoint Health may temporarily fall out of network until further action is taken. In each of these potential scenarios, please know that I am working closely with our benefits consultants and other partners to ensure that we are as prepared as possible and ready to assist you.
Earlier today, I again met separately with representatives from both Cigna and Highpoint Health to stay informed about their discussions and understand each organization’s perspective. While those conversations were helpful, neither party has communicated a resolution at this time.
I want to emphasize my continued commitment to supporting you through any of these outcomes. Should the contract lapse, we will continue evaluating all available options. Near-term solutions remain limited; however, we are evaluating a range of longer-term approaches that could be effective January 1st, and we will continue to assess their feasibility and potential impact. I will communicate promptly as we learn more.
I also ask for your continued patience, as my response times may be slower than usual as I’ll likely be needing to respond to many inquiries individually. Your understanding and kind words have meant a great deal over the past few weeks and have kept me encouraged in this work
Thank you again for your patience and for the kindness you’ve shown throughout this process. I will continue to keep you updated as soon as new information becomes available.
With much gratitude,
October 9, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate the potential termination of the relationship between Highpoint Health and Cigna.
While I do not yet have a definitive update, local Cigna leadership is optimistic that a resolution will be reached either through a temporary contract extension or a new multi-year agreement. Please keep in mind that these negotiations are often finalized only in the final days, so we may not have concrete information to share until the middle of next week. To provide some perspective, in my own review of similar negotiations, all have ultimately resulted in facilities remaining in-network, even if some required a temporary contract extension to complete the process.
It’s also worth noting that Cigna maintains a strong relationship with Ascension, which is one of the venture partners (along with Lifepoint Health) that has created the Highpoint Health operating entity. This existing partnership gives us reason to believe that the parties share a foundation of collaboration that could support a resolution.
I have also reached out directly to Highpoint Health leadership for additional insight and just connected with a member of their team. Understandably, they were not able to comment on the details of the ongoing negotiations, and this reflects the ongoing and often sensitive nature of these discussions, which involve both organizations working toward their respective goals.
Please also be aware that, at this time, Highpoint Health has not communicated any new information to its own employees beyond the initial notice of potential termination. As a result, providers and clinic staff may simply be reiterating that earlier message rather than providing new updates. For the most current and accurate information, please rely on official communications from HR, as we remain in direct contact with Cigna, Highpoint Health, and our benefits consultants.
At the same time, we are actively reviewing options to ensure continuity of care and minimize disruption should the contract end on October 16, 2025. This includes working closely with our benefits consultant to evaluate the financial and administrative implications of several potential paths forward. Our goal is to be prepared with well-considered options that balance cost, access, and overall impact for our colleagues and their families.
As part of next week’s Benefits & Wellness Fair, I’ve invited representatives from Cigna, Highpoint Health, and our benefits consultants to be present to answer questions and provide additional clarity. Our consultants and Cigna have confirmed their participation, and I’m hopeful that Highpoint Health will also be willing to join us. I encourage you to stop by, ask questions, and take advantage of the opportunity to speak directly with those individuals.
Thank you again for your understanding and patience as we continue to monitor this situation closely. I will share additional updates as soon as more information becomes available.
September 30, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
I want to provide a quick update as we close out the month. To my knowledge, there have been no status changes in the negotiations between Highpoint Health and Cigna. From my perspective, “no news” at this stage is a good sign, as it suggests that discussions remain active and are not deteriorating.
Internally, we have received preliminary options to consider should the negotiations not reach a resolution. We are in the process of carefully reviewing those options, and that evaluation will take some time. I will continue to remain engaged and share updates with you as soon as more information becomes available.
Thank you, as always, for your patience and understanding.
September 19, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
As we head into the weekend, I want to take a moment to provide an update on the Highpoint Health and Cigna negotiations.
It’s my understanding that Cigna continues to engage in negotiations with Highpoint Health in good faith, with both parties working toward a resolution before the current contract’s end date. As is common in situations like this, the process may extend right up until the final day of the existing agreement.
In the meantime, I remain in close contact with both our Cigna account team and our benefits consultants so that we have a plan of action in place should different outcomes arise. We’re focused on making sure that we understand all possible outcomes and have thoughtful plans in place should they be needed.
I am grateful for the care and understanding many of you have expressed this week. Please know that I will continue to share updates as I have them, and that I am available should you have questions or want to discuss.
Thank you for your patience and support, and I wish you a restorative weekend.
September 15, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
Earlier today, Highpoint Health announced that its current contract with Cigna will terminate unless a new agreement is reached. This would mean that, effective October 16, 2025, Riverview, Trousdale, Winchester, and Sewanee locations (including hospitals, clinics, and providers) would be out of network for Cigna commercial plans. Sumner locations would follow on December 4, 2025.
Following Highpoint Health’s announcement, several colleagues have already reached out with concerns. I want to assure you that we are actively working to obtain additional clarity. Upon learning of this news today, I contacted our Cigna account team and benefit consultants for additional context. While I have not yet received that information, please know that negotiations like this are not uncommon and often extend right up to the existing contract termination date, with agreements sometimes reached in the final days. We will continue to monitor developments closely and share timely updates as more information becomes available.
I recognize that Highpoint Health’s announcement may cause concern given the potential impact on many of our colleagues and their families. Please know that we are committed to keeping you informed as we navigate this together.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.