ECU Health, UnitedHealthcare Resolve Dispute, Restore In-Network Access

ECU Health and UnitedHealthcare have reached an agreement to restore in-network access for over 100,000 patients in eastern North Carolina. The impasse had jeopardized health coverage for many area patients after ECU Health stopped accepting coverage for most UnitedHealthcare patients in late April.

The new multi-year contract covers patients with Commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid UnitedHealthcare plans, allowing them to access care from ECU Health providers, hospitals, and clinics. The agreement also includes reimbursement terms that better reflect the cost of care, reduced administrative burden, and fewer barriers to care.

ECU Health claimed in 2017-2020, their physicians did not receive reimbursement increases from UnitedHealthcare, while UnitedHealthcare asserted ECU Health was seeking a near 60% price hike. The new contract preserves the relationships between providers and patients covered by UnitedHealthcare.