West Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health notified about 54,000 patients it may end its contract with Amerigroup of Iowa, one of two insurers managing Medicaid coverage in the state.
"While UnityPoint Health is continuing contract discussions with Amerigroup, if an agreement is not reached by the end of the year, UnityPoint Health will no longer be part of the provider network for Amerigroup beginning January 1, 2018," according to the system.
Should a contract between Amerigroup of Iowa and UnityPoint Health cease, Amerigroup's Medicaid managed care beneficiaries will lose access to UnityPoint hospitals and providers, save for emergency care. This would take effect April 1, 2018.
UnityPoint said it will continue to be in-network with UnitedHealthcare, the other insurer providing managed care to Iowa Medicaid beneficiaries. Managed care health plan AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa will leave the state's Medicaid program at the end of this month.
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