Charlotte, N.C.-based Carolinas HealthCare and health insurer UnitedHealthcare have forged a new agreement, nearly two months after their contract expired Feb. 28, according to The Charlotte Observer.
When the contract between Carolinas and UnitedHealthcare expired in February, Carolinas' 12 hospitals and a number of physician offices became out-of-network for UnitedHealthcare members. However, in March, Tracey Lempner, a UnitedHealthcare spokesperson, said the two organizations were still involved in negotiations.
The new agreement is retroactive to March 1 to ensure patients who received care at Carolinas' facilities after the previous contract ended will not experience a disruption in their benefits.
"We know the disruption in our relationship with UnitedHealthcare has been difficult and confusing for our patients," said Roger Ray, MD, executive vice president and chief physician officer at Carolinas, according to the report. "Our focus remains on delivering the best care for our patients."
Heated contract negotiations between providers and payers are not unusual, and there have been several high-profile disputes between health systems and insurers in recent months.
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