A previous contract between the two organizations expired Jan. 1. As a result, Duke LifePoint physician services were considered out of network for UnitedHealthcare members, but emergency room visits remained in network.
Central to the argument were reimbursement rates. UnitedHealthcare argued that the hospitals delayed negotiations and did not offer a proposal, according to ABC 13 WLOS. At the same time, the hospitals accused UnitedHealthcare of reimbursing physicians at rates lower than the market average.
The length of the contract and the agreed upon reimbursement rate were not disclosed, according to the report.
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