United Healthcare, Baptist Health settle, restore insurance coverage for patients
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – United Health Care and Baptist Health have reunited after parting ways over a rate disagreement on Jan. 1.
The two have returned to an in-network agreement in an agreement announced Friday afternoon. The two had ceased in-network operations after disagreeing on reimbursement rates for services.
Families left in a bind as dispute between Baptist Health and United Healthcare continues
The issues to reaching the settlement included reimbursement rates for Arkansas hospitals being below the national average and the increase in health care costs in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Baptist officials.
In a joint statement, United Healthcare and Baptist Health said this was a multi-year agreement.
“UnitedHealthcare and Baptist Health are pleased to have reached a multi-year agreement that ensures UnitedHealthcare’s members enrolled in employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans, Medicare Advantage and Group Retiree plans, as well as Dual Special Needs Plans, have access to Baptist Health’s physicians and facilities across Arkansas, effective immediately. Our top priority throughout the negotiation was ensuring the families we mutually serve have access to quality, affordable health care from the doctors and care providers they know and trust, and this agreement accomplishes that goal. We thank you for your patience throughout this process and are honored to continue serving Arkansans who entrust us with their care.”
Joint statement by United Healthcare and Baptist Health
Both sides had said since the Jan. 1 parting that they were willing to continue negotiations.
Dispute between United Healthcare, Baptist Health leaves patients without coverage
The situation was similar to one between United and Conway Regional in July over reimbursement rates. That dispute was settled after one month.
Baptist Health is the largest not-for-profit health care organization in Arkansas, with over 250 access points across Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma and approximately 11,000 employees, according to its website.
Conway Regional reaches agreement with UnitedHealthcare, restores in-network care
Minnesota-based United Healthcare Group Inc. is the largest health care company by revenue, and the 11th largest company by revenue according to Fortune Global 500. In the first quarter of 2023 it has served 52.9 million people, also according to Fortune.
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