A nearly year-long contract fight between WakeMed and UnitedHealthcare ended for employer plans on October 15, when the Raleigh hospital system went back in network for those members. Medicare Advantage is a different story. WakeMed says it “remains out of network for Medicare Advantage plans,” which leaves UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare members in the same position as before the deal.
A deal that stops at the employer plans
WakeMed says on its UnitedHealthcare negotiations page, updated September 17, that the two sides signed a multi-year contract for employer-sponsored commercial plans, effective October 15, 2026. Access for those members returned that day. The page also says the agreement does not include UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange or Marketplace plans.
The agreement ends nearly a year of negotiation, ABC11 reported. The station says the contract runs three years. It quotes Stephanie Sessoms, WakeMed’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, saying the “new agreement includes meaningful improvements in reimbursement and contractual terms.”…