UnitedHealthcare, New York Hospitals Battle Over Contract

Some analysts are saying that UnitedHealthcare's contract dispute with Continuum Health Partners, a consortium of hospitals in New York state, could become more common if health care reform legislation is enacted that increases competition among private insurers. The insurer and the hospitals are negotiating rates and a policy that would cut reimbursements in half if hospitals do not notify the insurer within 24 hours of a member being admitted.

• "Insurer Steps Up Fight To Control Health Care Costs" (Hartocollis, New York Times, 1/25).