Premier Health and UnitedHealthcare Contract Negotiations Impact Network Status

Premier Health is currently in ongoing contract negotiations with UnitedHealthcare regarding payor contracts for hospital and physician services. Despite several months of discussions and multiple proposals from Premier Health, an agreement on reimbursement rates reflecting the costs of delivering care has not been reached.

If negotiations do not conclude by July 1, Premier Health's hospitals and providers will become out of network for UnitedHealthcare members holding specific plans. This development affects commercial, Medicare Advantage, and veterans' health plans under UnitedHealthcare. Premier Health emphasizes that their reimbursement requests account for the rising costs of healthcare, including staffing, technology investments, and the administrative demands associated with insurance processing.

As a non-profit academic health system, Premier Health reinvests all revenue into healthcare services and community support. They remain dedicated to continuing negotiations to avoid disruption but advise insured patients to check plan coverages and consider alternative healthcare providers if necessary. The situation underscores the financial pressures on healthcare providers from payer negotiations and highlights the importance of timely, fair contracting to maintain network stability and access to care.