ECU Health and UnitedHealthcare Renew Contract Amid Rising Healthcare Costs

ECU Health and UnitedHealthcare have reached a new multi-year contract that restores in-network access for over 100,000 patients in eastern North Carolina. The agreement, effective August 7, 2026, covers patients with Commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid UnitedHealthcare plans.

According to ECU Health, the previous contract had not seen meaningful increases in reimbursements from UnitedHealthcare despite rising costs associated with delivering care. Dr. Michael Waldrum, CEO at ECU Health, stated that the organization's priority throughout negotiations was to protect and restore patients' access to affordable care close to home while ensuring the sustainability of essential services across the region.

The new agreement includes full in-network access to all ECU Health providers, facilities, and services, as well as reimbursement terms that better reflect the cost of care. This means that patients can resume their appointments and receive uninterrupted care without any additional burden or out-of-pocket expenses.