Patients could suffer if hospital, insurer dont reach deal [Video]

Loyola Medicine is negotiating with a major commercial health insurer over reimbursement costs.

If a deal isn’t reached soon, some patients may face a tough decision: Pay more for medical care, if they can afford it, or be forced to find a new doctor.

For patients with complex conditions like Fanny Vlahos, leaving Loyola might not be an option.

Born with cystic fibrosis, she received a double lung transplant and was later treated for cancer.

UnitedHealthcare is her insurance provider. Loyola is her hospital.

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If a deal isn’t reached, Loyola’s doctors will no longer be in network for Vlahos and others with UnitedHealthcare insurance.

For her, that no deal is a big deal.

“All of my specialists are at Loyola,” Vlahos said.

Patients are not the only ones worried. Loyola’s Dr. William Small said he’s treated some of his cancer patients for more than 20 years.

“There’s no way someone can be picked up with another provider, another physician and have that same level of …