Augusta, Ga.-based University Hospital and UnitedHealthcare can't agree as to when their physicians' network contract is set to expire, potentially leaving patients and future contracts in limbo.
University Hospital CEO Jim Davis told the Augusta Chronicle on June 26 that the contract between physicians — who operate under a different contract from the hospital's — and the insurer is set to expire July 1. UnitedHealthcare claims physicians are in-network until the contract expires Dec. 1.
Since Mr. Davis' claim, University Hospital issued a statement to patients clarifying physicians are in-network until Nov. 30.
Contract length and payment are at the center of the conflict. The Chronicle reports UnitedHealthcare is seeking a three-year contract while University, which is simultaneously entertaining a merger with Atlanta-based Piedmont Healthcare, is looking for a one-year commitment.
UnitedHealthcare has stated patients can still seek in-network care at University Hospital, but the hospital has alerted patients of the conflict nonetheless.
“Our contract with University Health is set to expire on Dec. 1, 2021," UnitedHealthcare said in a statement. "Contrary to what University Health previously stated, its physicians continue to participate in our network through Nov. 30, 2021, meaning people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored, individual and Medicare Advantage plans can continue seeing University Health physicians at this time. We have been actively negotiating with University Health with the goal of renewing our contract and remain committed to continued discussions.”