LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – United Health Care and Baptist Health have reunited after parting ways over a rate disagreement on Jan. 1.
The two have returned to an in-network agreement in an agreement announced Friday afternoon. The two had ceased in-network operations after disagreeing on reimbursement rates for services.
Families left in a bind as dispute between Baptist Health and United Healthcare continues
The issues to reaching the settlement included reimbursement rates for Arkansas hospitals being below the national average and the increase in health care costs in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Baptist officials.
In a joint statement, United Healthcare and Baptist Health said this was a multi-year agreement.
“UnitedHealthcare and Baptist Health are pleased to have reached a multi-year agreement that ensures UnitedHealthcare’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. Our top priority throughout the negotiation was ensuring the families we mutually serve have access to quality, affordable health care from the doctors and care providers they know and trust, and this agreement accomplishes that goal. We thank you for your patience throughout this process and are honored to continue serving Arkansans who entrust us with their care.”
Joint statement by United Healthcare and Baptist Health