Patients at Avina Women's Care's two Dublin offices could face out-of-network costs starting Oct. 1 if the practice and UnitedHealthcare fail to reach a new contract.

No agreement exists yet.

Both sides said Aug. 28 that negotiations are ongoing but no deal has been struck, NBC4 reported. The current contract expires Sept. 30, and without an agreement, Avina's OB-GYN and primary care providers would move out of UnitedHealthcare's network.

The stakes are personal for Dublin residents. Avina operates a Bradenton Avenue office at 5150 Bradenton Ave., described on its website as 10 minutes from Bridge Park, and a second location inside OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital at 7450 Hospital Drive. Both offices offer fertility, gynecological, mammography, obstetric and postpartum, and surgical services.

Avina is seeking a nearly 18% price increase over three years for care covered by UnitedHealthcare commercial plans, according to a source familiar with the negotiations cited in the NBC4 report.

"Our goal is to use the several weeks remaining on our contract to reach an agreement that is affordable for central Ohio families and employers while maintaining continued access to Avina Women's Care's doctors," a UnitedHealthcare spokesperson said in a statement.

Dr. Sangeeta Crouser said Avina's top priority is minimizing disruption, particularly for patients who are pregnant, undergoing treatment, or preparing for surgery. Crouser said the practice has been engaged in good-faith negotiations with UnitedHealthcare to preserve in-network access.

What Dublin patients should do now

Avina has begun notifying patients about the possible change. Patients who are pregnant, in active treatment, or preparing for or recovering from surgery may qualify for continuity of care. That designation could allow them to keep seeing an Avina provider at in-network rates for a limited period even if the contract lapses.

Eligibility is determined by UnitedHealthcare based on individual circumstances. Avina is encouraging patients who may qualify to call the member services number on their insurance card.

In a letter to patients, Avina also urged those who want to stay with their current provider to tell UnitedHealthcare directly. Patients whose coverage comes through an employer were encouraged to contact their benefits team as well.

Patients with questions can reach the Bradenton Avenue office at 614-459-1000 or the Dublin Methodist Hospital location at 614-659-9519. The contract expires Sept. 30, and Oct. 1 is the first day patients could see out-of-network billing if no deal is reached.