Life Kit: Health What to know if your hospital drops your insurance
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Jan 15, 2026 Bram Sable-Smith, a reporter with KFF Health News, unpacks the complexities of hospital-insurer contract disputes and their impact on patients. He explains why hospitals sometimes drop insurance coverage and how these disputes can create chaos for families in need of care. Bram offers practical advice on what to do if your doctor goes out-of-network, including the importance of paperwork and understanding your plan's options. He also highlights the commonality of such disputes and the unexpected challenges they pose for patient care.
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Family Struggles When Network Breaks
- Amber Wingler's family lost in-network coverage when their hospital and insurer failed to renew a contract.
- She spent months on paperwork and delayed appointments before the two sides reached a new deal.
Use Emergency Protections And Request Extensions
- If you have an emergency, insurers cannot charge you more than in-network rates.
- For non-emergencies, try asking for an extension of in-network coverage if you have a complex condition, but expect heavy paperwork.
Care Battles Consume Family Time
- Wingler juggled her daughter's delayed specialist care while managing therapy for her son.
- The family exhausted time and energy navigating paperwork and appointments across members.