A heated health care show down between UnitedHealthcare and Baycare Health Systems could affect more than 400,000 people.

The two could go their separate ways if they can't reach an agreement by Monday.

The current contract ends on Monday and at this point, it appears negotiations have broken down.

The sticking point appears to be the price of medical services and who really pays the bills.

"Panic,” said Winna Morin in reaction to the idea the two might not come to an agreement.  “Sheer panic."

Morin was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.  Since then, she has been in and out of Mease Countryside Hospital.  She’s had surgery for a double mastectomy and four reconstructive surgeries. 

Then she began receiving letters from UnitedHealthcare, her doctor, and the hospital just weeks before her last surgery in December.

Now she has strong words for both her insurance company and her health care provider.

"Come to an agreement,” Morin said forcefully.  “Come to an agreement.  It's causing so much worry and panic and I don't think it's necessary."

In full page ads in the Tampa Bay Times, a media partner of Bay News 9, UnitedHealthcare appeals to consumers saying BayCare is demanding certain amounts for key procedures with as much as a 22 percent increase for employer plans.  That would include hip replacements which would cost up to $12,000, breast biopsies by $5,500, and cardiac catheterizations from $4,000-5,000.

BayCare responded saying the numbers are inaccurate and misleading while at the same time, claiming United owes them $11 million in unpaid bills.

Both sides refused our requests for sit-down interviews and instead offered written statements.

Dena Brannen, a spokesperson for BayCare Health System, said, “there has been no progress in negotiations since October 12, 2012, thus we are not hopeful we will reach an agreement prior to November 26.”

In response, Elizabeth Calzadilla-Fiallo, a spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare, said, "the door remains open to further negotiations and our latest offer remains on the table with BayCare."

On Monday, BayCare says its hospitals, facilities, home care and laboratories will not be a participating provider in UnitedHealthcare’s provider network for Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and commercial products.

And even before this, last month, UnitedHealthcare terminated Baycare Health System’s physician groups from taking part in United’s commercial and Medicaid networks, effective Monday.

What that means is BayCare patients with United can still go to BayCare’s emergency rooms. Those who are mid-treatment may continue but are being told to call United first.

As for Winna Morin, she realizes she only needs to take one more step in her journey but feels for those who have just been diagnosed.

"The worry at the beginning is enough,” Morin said. “To add this on to it, I cannot even imagine."

If UnitedHealthcare and BayCare Health System can’t make a deal, it’s always best to make a few calls to verify your coverage.

Eleven hospitals would be affected.