LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Friday, Baptist Health and United Healthcare announced that the two sides have reached a multi-year agreement after months of deliberation over reimbursement rates.
The agreement places United Healthcare, a significant insurance payor, back in-network with one of Arkansas's most prominent private non-profit healthcare providers. Baptist Health's director of corporate communications stated that the agreement is effective immediately.
"United Healthcare and Baptist Health are pleased to have reached a multi-year agreement that ensures United Healthcare’s members enrolled in employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans, Medicare Advantage and Group Retiree plans, as well as Dual Special Needs Plans, have access to Baptist Health's physicians and facilities across Arkansas, effective immediately," said Cara Wade, Baptist Health Executive Director of Corporate Communications.
According to Wade, throughout the negotiation period between the two parties, the goal was to provide "quality [and] affordable health care" to families in Arkansas.
Friday's announcement came after Baptist Health and United Healthcare were initially at odds in November 2023 over reimbursement rates.
During that time, the two sides were originally in talks to reach an agreement. Baptist Health and United Healthcare weren't able to reach a deal by January 2024, which forced many insured under the company to become out of network. This also impacted those seeking treatment at all Baptist locations and providers.
This had an immediate impact as many Arkansans began looking for healthcare alternatives when 2024 began, which is when United Healthcare became out of network with Baptist Health.
Now, months later, the two sides have successfully negotiated and are back in the network as of February 9, 2024.