The University of Vermont Health Network, the state’s largest healthcare provider, and UnitedHealthcare, the U.S.’s largest health insurance company, have extended their current contract until May 12, while launching details of a tentative new contract. ..
Both sides have been negotiating a new one-year contract for several months. The current contract was initially set to expire on April 1st.
“The current contract will be extended until May 12, providing additional time to finalize the terms and conditions,” said Cole Manbeck, a spokeswoman for United Healthcare. “Our members will continue to access UVM facilities and doctors until May 12, but will continue to finalize the terms of the overall transaction.”
Annie Mackin, a spokesman for UVM Health Network, has confirmed the extension of the contract.
Neither side was willing to provide details.
UnitedHealthcare informed its customers in February that it will stop covering care on the UVM Health Network on April 1st. Insurers say 5,000 Vermont are at risk of losing coverage in the network if the stalemate continues.
At the end of March, United Healthcare and the UVM Health Network signed a last-minute contract to extend the contract until April 30, while continuing negotiations.
The latest enhancements mean that United Healthcare promises to continue to cover healthcare on the UVM Health Network for less than two weeks.
Insurance companies and healthcare networks have been at odds with United Healthcare about how much they should pay UVM health care for care. Their controversy wondered where patients would be treated at three hospitals: UVM Medical Center in Burlington, Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, Porter Medical Center in Middlebury, and northern New York.
Disputes between insurance companies and medical networks are limited to plans offered by employers. Supplement Medicare Plans, Medicaid and Veteran Care are not affected.
Do not miss it. Sign up here to get VTDigger’s weekly email about hospitals in Vermont, health care trends, insurance, and state health care policies.
Remaining 460 members
During the critical Spring Member Drive, we are currently unable to reach our goals. VTDigger, a non-profit organization, relies on voluntary donations from readers to keep the news flowing and provide it free of charge to anyone in need. Please donate as much as you want today. In addition to daily investigative journalism, we will provide one donation = one book for children through a partnership with the Children’s Literacy Foundation.
