Negotiations were ongoing Monday ahead of the current three-year contract’s pending expiration this week, said UnitedHealthcare spokesman Tony Marusic.
If an agreement isn’t reached, UnitedHealthcare members might have to pay higher out-of-network costs for UC Health services, or find a different provider that accepts UnitedHealthcare plans.
“We are in ongoing discussions with UC Health and remain committed to renewing the hospital system’s participation in our network without increasing the cost of health care for southwestern Ohio and Kentucky residents,” Marusic said in a provided statement. “UnitedHealthcare members continue to have access to a broad network in the Cincinnati metro region, which includes 10 other hospitals and more than 3,000 physicians.”
UC Health spokeswoman Diana Lara declined to comment about the issues at stake in the discussions.
“We continue to have open negotiations,” Lara said.
The contract covers the nonprofit UC Health facilities University of Cincinnati Medical Center, West Chester Hospital, and UC Physicians, a group of about 700 doctors, as well as other sites.
A public dispute over reimbursement rates between UC Health and a different insurer, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio, ended in spring 2013 when a weekend deal was reached before the contract expired.
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