Committee holds communication on UnitedHealthcare-Ascension dispute affecting city employees

The committee held a communication from the Department of Employee Relations after staff reported that ongoing contract negotiations between UnitedHealthcare and Ascension Wisconsin could disrupt care for city employees who use the city—s EPO plan.

Alderman Robert Speicher introduced the communication, saying many city employees rely on Ascension providers and asked benefits staff what the administration is doing to help members navigate potential disruptions. Benefits Director (title in file: Benefits Director King) told the committee the city is monitoring the situation, has posted frequently asked questions, and has worked with UnitedHealthcare to prioritize continuity-of-care requests. Scott Schultz of Gallagher Benefit Services said the city has asked UnitedHealthcare to establish a dedicated dashboard to track city members' continuity-of-care and prioritization requests.

King told the committee the dispute affects members in the EPO plan but not those in the PPO or retirees covered by the Medicare Advantage plan set to begin Jan. 1, 2026. She said the city—s data shows potentially more than 2,600 employees could be affected and that UnitedHealthcare had already paid about $9 million in claims to Ascension for city members. Committee members discussed emergency care protections (members still receive emergency care regardless of in-network status) and continuity of care for ongoing, scheduled services.

Alderman Speicher moved to hold the file to the call of the chair so the committee could receive further updates; the motion was approved.