JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The deadline for UF Health and United Healthcare to come to terms on a new contract agreement is fast approaching.
The health insurance company and the medical network have until Sept. 1 to come to a resolution.
If that doesn’t happen, UF Health will no longer be an in-network provider with United Healthcare; however, a spokesperson for United told News4JAX Friday it is planning to submit another proposal to UF Health “that includes additional compromises.”
UF Health patient Abbie, who wanted to withhold her last name from publication for privacy reasons, told News4JAX she has depended on UF providers after she had neck surgery there earlier this year.
“These doctors did a major surgery, they did tricks. They know everything going on to me,” she said.
Abbie said she was surprised when she learned two weeks ago an appointment she had scheduled for next month would be canceled because UF Health wouldn’t accept United Healthcare insurance after Sept. 1, and then three other appointments were canceled.
“What am I going to do?” was her reaction.
She told News4JAX she doesn’t have the money to pay out of pocket and she doesn’t want to have to find new providers.
In a statement, UF Health said it’s been working “extremely hard over the past several months to negotiate in good faith with United Healthcare”, also saying, “As we manage continual increases in labor, supply, and other expenses while striving to fulfill our mission of caring for patients and the community, United has reported profits in the billions for several years.”
UF Health Jacksonville is a safety net hospital, and Fitch Ratings reported it had an operating loss of $83 million last year.
Meanwhile, UnitedHealth Group profits hit $22 billion in 2023.
In a statement to News4JAX United Healthcare said, “UF Health is demanding an approximate 30% price hike over the course of a two-year contract, including a more than 20% rate increase in the first year. The health system’s proposal is not affordable or sustainable for Floridians or employers.”
They said the cost of a C-Section at UF Jacksonville would increase by more than $1,500 and the cost of emergency room visits for non-life-threatening conditions would increase by more than $550.
Abbie said her message to UF Health and United Healthcare is: “I wish they did their stuff together. You know, at least let people know beforehand and have plan B.”
United said that if UF Health leaves their network on Sept. 1, their members will continue to have access to other providers in Northeast Florida.
“In the event UF Health leaves our network, our members will continue to have access to a broad network of providers that includes thousands of physicians and more than a dozen hospitals in the impacted areas, including but not limited to:
• AdventHealth Palm Coast
• AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway
• Ascension St. Vincents Riverside
• Ascension St. Vincents Southside
• Baptist Medical Center
• Baptist Medical Center-Beaches
• Baptist Medical Center-Nassau
• HCA Florida Memorial Hospital
• HCA Florida North Florida Hospital
• HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital
• Mayo Clinic Florida
• Wolfson Children’s Hospital”
United Healthcare
Some patients may also qualify for continuity of care.
“Our top priority is ensuring the Florida families we serve have access to the care they need. In the event UF Health leaves our network, UnitedHealthcare members who are in the middle of treatment with a UF Health provider may qualify for continuity of care, which provides continued in-network benefits for a specified period of time after a hospital or physician leaves our network. A few examples of patients who may qualify include:
• Women who are pregnant.
• Patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed cancer, or those currently in active cancer treatment.
• Transplant recipients in need of ongoing care due to complications associated with a transplant.
• Members who have questions about continuity of care or alternative hospitals in their area should call the number on their health plan ID card.
• Members can also use the provider directory at myuhc.com to search for alternative hospitals in their area.
In the event of an emergency, UnitedHealthcare members should go to the nearest hospital. The services will be covered at the in-network benefit level, regardless of the hospital’s network status.”
United Healthcare
According to UF Health, it will continue to participate in the traditional Medicaid program but will have a participating provider agreement with only the Medicaid Manager Care health plans listed on this information sheet.
For questions, people are asked to call UF Health at 352-265-8585 or toll-free at 1-855-834-7337, or visit this website for more information.
UF Health and United Healthcare are not the only ones having issues with contract negotiations that could impact thousands of patients.
Florida Blue, the state’s largest health insurer, may also soon be rejected at Baptist Health facilities if the two can’t negotiate a new agreement. The deadline is on Sept. 30.
MORE | Florida Blue, Baptist Health have 1 month to negotiate new contract
The two sides have been at it since February but have not agreed to a deal.
If the parties can’t reach an agreement before October, Baptist would be considered out-of-network for thousands of patients, making care unaffordable for many.
Patients can find answers to their questions at baptistjax.com/florida-blue and at floridablue.com/negotiation/baptisthealthjax.