Have you noticed all the emails, letters and postcards alerting you that you’re “becoming in-network” with an insurance company — even though you never signed up with them? Sounds a bit crazy, right? But yes, this is happening, and it has gotten out of control lately. There are a few situations practices need to watch out for:
Becoming in-network unintentionally: You may suddenly become in-network with a carrier you never directly contracted with. This happens because that carrier has a lease agreement with another carrier you are in-network with.
Fee schedule reductions through leased networks: If you’re in-network with a carrier through a third-party or leased network (not a direct contract), and that carrier is now part of a lease agreement under another carrier you’re in-network with, a less favorable fee schedule could start applying. In other words, the rates you were used to receiving could be replaced by lower ones — unless you act quickly to opt out.
Why this matters:
If you’re not actively monitoring network lease activity, a good fee schedule can quickly be replaced by a much poorer one, cutting your reimbursements unexpectedly. This is happening every single day.
Here’s a list of the most recent and upcoming lease agreements along with their effective dates below. Please note — these may vary by state, so make sure to verify your own.
- Metlife / Aetna 09/01/2025
- Metlife / Sunlife 10/18/2025
- Cigna / Humana 11/01/2025
- Cigna / Ameritas 11/01/2025
- Guardian / Principal 12/01/2025
What to do:
If you find that you’re becoming in-network with a plan you never intended to join (through a third-party contract or leased network) or notice lower reimbursements tied to a new lease agreement, you need to opt out. Carriers have sent opt-out instructions to providers, and if you’re not sure how to proceed, reach out to me — I am happy to help!