Hartford HealthCare and UnitedHealthcare have reached a multiyear agreement. This ensures that patients will continue to have access to Hartford HealthCare’s physicians, hospitals, and services without interruption. The new deal addresses concerns that Hartford HealthCare might have been considered out of network by UnitedHealthcare if an agreement hadn’t been secured.
Hartford HealthCare is the state’s largest health network. “This is good news for our patients and communities, and allows us to continue our mission to improve the health and healing of all,” Hartford HealthCare said in a statement. “UnitedHealthcare and Hartford HealthCare have reached a multiyear agreement that ensures people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored commercial and Medicare Advantage plans continue to have uninterrupted network access to the health system,” UnitedHealthcare said in a statement.
On Sunday, Hartford HealthCare announced that they were seeking a “fair level of payment” to maintain services for UnitedHealthcare insurance members. “United is offering our hospitals and physicians rates that simply do not cover our cost increases, including salaries and benefits, medical supplies, drugs, and vendor services.
Healthcare agreement ensures ongoing access
United’s offer will negatively impact our ability to retain and recruit clinical staff in our care settings,” Hartford HealthCare wrote. UnitedHealthcare also expressed their goal of achieving a long-term, affordable contract for the people and employers they serve, while avoiding any disruption to their members. State Healthcare Advocate Kathleen Holt welcomed the agreement but emphasized the anxiety caused to patients who feared losing access to their doctors and critical care teams.
“We are grateful that patients have ongoing access to Hartford HealthCare,” Holt said. “However, we must recognize the distress and harm caused to patients who, for weeks, were left in fear of losing access to their doctors and critical care teams. The anxiety we heard from callers—including cancer survivors, families managing chronic conditions, and newly enrolled consumers—was real and deeply concerning.”
The specific terms of the deal remain undisclosed, leaving patients uncertain about future costs.
Holt called for a serious discussion in Connecticut to minimize the impact of such disputes on consumers, highlighting the lack of transparency in contract negotiations between providers and payers. “The current process leaves consumers with no voice and no control—and that must change,” Holt stated. “The Office of the Healthcare Advocate will continue to be a vocal and active defender of consumers in our state.”
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