LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Friday, Baptist Health and United Healthcare announced that after months of discussions over reimbursement rates, the companies have reached a multi-year agreement.
The agreement brings United Healthcare, a significant insurance payer, back into network with one of the most prominent private nonprofit health care providers in Arkansas. Baptist Health’s director of corporate communications said the agreement is effective immediately.
“United Healthcare and Baptist Health are committed to ensuring that United Healthcare members enrolled in employer-sponsored individual plans, Medicare Advantage and group retirement plans, and dual special needs plans enroll at Baptist. We are pleased to have reached a multi-year agreement that guarantees access to all Arkansas Health physicians and facilities, effective immediately,” said Carla Wade, executive director of corporate communications for Baptist Health. .
According to Wade, throughout the negotiation period between the parties, the goal was to “deliver quality.” [and] Providing affordable health care to families in Arkansas.
Wade said.
Friday’s announcement comes after Baptist Health and United Healthcare initially clashed in November 2023 over reimbursement rates.
During this time, the two countries were initially negotiating to reach an agreement. Baptist Health and United Healthcare were unable to reach an agreement by January 2024, resulting in many of the company’s insureds being taken out of network. This also affected those seeking treatment at all Baptist facilities and health care providers.
This had an immediate impact as many Arkansans began looking for alternative health care as 2024 began, and United Healthcare was taken out of network with Baptist Health.
Several months later, the two sides have successfully negotiated a deal and rejoined the network on February 9, 2024.
