UnitedHealthcare Negotiations
Our Latest Update:
November 1, 2024
NGHS is currently out-of-network with United Healthcare and very little progress has been made for a new agreement. After refusing for almost a full year to have any conversation with us, United recently reached out with a new proposal. It’s too soon to tell if United’s efforts are in good faith. There is no timeline in place for this contract discussion and we cannot guarantee that we will come to an agreement with United. United must be willing to work for an agreement that is fair and will allow us to continue to provide the high-quality services our community has come to expect.
During this open enrollment period, consider other options to ensure your care at NGHS locations will be in-network in 2025.
The Real Truth
Make sure you know the whole truth behind the claims UnitedHealthcare is making.
What is Fair Health Insurance?
Antonio Rios, MD, Chief of Population Health at NGMC, provides a doctor’s take.
Still Have Questions?
We understand the anxiety United’s lack of cooperation has caused, and have gathered answers to some of the most common questions for you.
Add Your Voice
This is what one patient wrote to UnitedHealthcare, and you can add your voice too.
To the UHC CEO, Eastern Region:
Something has happened which needs your immediate attention. It is my understanding that UHC refuses to negotiate, in good faith, with the non-profit Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) and its outstanding doctors which are part of Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG.) This health system is the backbone of our community, and all of northeast Georgia. They are a philanthropic group which gives back to the community in many ways, and is eagerly supported by the members of this community. They have provided healthcare for the northeast Georgia region for 70 years.
To hear that UHC “has not been responsive to our (NGHS’) proposals and has not engaged with us in any meaningful way” is heart breaking! I hope this is not true. To voice our concern with this lack of mediation, my husband who is a retired Senior Partner with Deloitte has written letters to the CEO and Chairman of the Board of UHC. And as the UHC CEO for the eastern region, I believe you will find it unacceptable that all other insurance companies have negotiated contracts with NGPG, but not UHC.
“We, the people” need to start working on unity rather than division in our businesses and in our country. In this case, there needs to be discourse to find common ground and develop a solution that is a win-win for both parties involved. It is time to start saying we can make this work, rather than accepting failure. As Americans, we are better than that. Even in the title of the company, it says UNITED Healthcare. Does UHC mean that, or is it just a joke? Do you care about your customers and their health needs, or is it just a tag line full of vapor? Negotiation is hard, and it takes two parties that are committed to working together to find the answer. Is UHC committed to trying to make this work, or is there only one interested party at the table?
We all need some good news. We all need to see that people can unify for a common purpose. I look forward to hearing what progress UHC is making in providing a solution with the premier health care provider in our area, NGHS.
Sincerely,
P. Hilton
