UNC Health signs long-term contract with UnitedHealthcare, keeping patients in network

UNC Health announced Thursday it signed a long-term agreement with UnitedHealthcare, which will keep thousands of North Carolina patients in network when they receive treatment at UNC clinics and hospitals.

According to UNC Health, its current contract with UnitedHealthcare was set to expire April 1. The new, long-term deal covers all patients under United's commercial, Individual Exchange and Medicare Advantage plans.

“This new agreement will benefit our patients across the state as well as our providers,” said Dr. Matt Ewend, chief clinical officer at UNC Health. “Our patients will not face increased costs and stress of going out of network or seeking new providers for their care."

UNC Health began negotiations with United last year and agreed to a new deal this week, a spokesperson said. UNC Health recently announced a long-term contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

UNC Health is working to share the news with patients under UnitedHealthcare to ensure them their UNC providers will not change.

Earlier this month, WRAL News reported a contract dispute between UNC Health and United, one of the largest health insurance companies in the U.S.

During the contract dispute, a UNC Health spokesperson told WRAL News:

"UNC Health has been able to reach fair agreements with multiple insurance companies for years and has not taken an action like this in more than a decade. Meanwhile, United has a long pattern of similar feuds with other providers across the country."

UnitedHealthcare claimed UNC Health issued a notice in September to end the contract April 1 and released the following statement: 

"We have met with UNC Health in person each of the past couple of weeks and have committed to continued face-to-face meetings over the coming weeks in the spirit of good-faith negotiation with the goal of reaching an agreement ... the significant rate increases UNC Health is demanding ... are not affordable or sustainable for North Carolinians and employers. These rate increases would have a significant impact on premiums and out-of-pocket costs for our members as well as the cost of doing business for employers."