After a year spent in negotiations, UnitedHealthcare members will continue to receive in-network rates for medical services at six Tennova Healthcare hospitals in Knoxville, Tenn. A single Tennova hospital in Harton, Tenn., however, has been excluded from the deal, reports Tullahoma News.
The contract disputes centered around reimbursement increases requested by Tennova, according to UnitedHealthcare.
The health insurer said Tennova's parent company, Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems, was demanding double-digit rate increases in the six Knoxville-area hospitals, and up to 227 percent more than the state average in Tullahoma, according to the article.
With all seven hospital contracts set to expire March 1, United and the six hospitals in east Tennessee arrived at agreements just before the deadline.
Tennova Healthcare – Harton marketing director Ava Lynch told Tullahoma News that the hospital is continuing to work toward a solution with United.
"Tennova Healthcare - Harton is committed to providing services for the Tullahoma community and has contracts with most other major health plans in our area," said Ms. Lynch. "We will work with patients who have United on a case-by-case basis to see what options are available to them."
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