UnitedHealthcare Extends Michigan Network Deal with Bronson; Corewell Talks Continue

Contract negotiations between Bronson Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare in Michigan are ongoing, with recent developments extending their commercial insurance network agreement through January 31, 2026. This extension allows continued in-network access for Bronson’s providers under UnitedHealthcare commercial insurance plans while both parties work toward a new agreement. Should negotiations fail after the extension, Bronson providers will become out-of-network for employer-sponsored and individual commercial coverage starting February 1, 2026. UnitedHealthcare is simultaneously negotiating with Corewell Health, but unlike Bronson, Corewell's agreement has not been extended. UnitedHealthcare aims to finalize a renewal by January 1, 2026, to avoid Corewell providers becoming out-of-network. Corewell's services could lose in-network status in phases throughout 2026 if no agreement is reached. Despite the ongoing discussions, some insurance plans remain unaffected by these negotiations, maintaining their network access to Bronson and Corewell regardless of the contract outcomes. This separation of plans highlights the complexity of insurance network agreements and the segmented nature of coverage across employer-sponsored, individual, and exchange plans. These contract negotiations are critical in determining provider network status, impacting access to health services for insured patients and influencing reimbursement rates for providers. For insurance professionals, monitoring these developments underscores the dynamic nature of payer-provider contracts and the importance of proactive communication with clients regarding potential network changes. The statements from UnitedHealthcare Michigan CEO Dustin Hinton emphasize commitment to reaching mutually agreeable terms that balance affordability for consumers and employers with fair provider reimbursement. The continued good-faith negotiations reflect ongoing efforts within Michigan’s healthcare market to sustain network stability amidst evolving commercial insurance landscapes.