UAB Health System Contracts With United Healthcare Set To Expire

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Following months of negotiations, the contracts are set to expire between United Healthcare and several UAB Health System entities this month. Starting July 31, if an agreement cannot be reached, United Healthcare members who choose to receive care at UAB entities may be personally responsible for the cost of services rendered.

Those entities include:

• UAB Hospital
• The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital
• UAB Medicine primary care, specialty care, and urgent care clinics
• UA Health Services Foundation
• UAB Callahan Eye Hospital
• Medical West
• Baptist Health in Montgomery
• Services provided by UAB doctors, regardless of where service is provided

Only the Emergency Department at each hospital will remain open to United health plan members without any additional out-of-pocket costs.

"We regret that United Healthcare has put us into a position that causes anxiety for our patients, and we are working to reach a reasonable agreement through ongoing discussions," said UAB Health System CEO Will Ferniany. "As the leading healthcare provider in Alabama that welcomes well over a million patient visits a year, we are dedicated to maintaining a sustainable business model in which our patients can access the care they need. We cannot allow United Healthcare’s demands to force us into an agreement that weakens our ability to deliver care to those who count on us."

United claims that the UAB Health System is more expensive than other entities.

"Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and VIVA all recognize their responsibility for supporting the unique, extensive care UAB provides Alabama," Ferniany said. "In spite of the UAB Health System’s unique benefits, United Healthcare has insisted on designating UAB as a lower, tier 2 provider. We have never been tier 2 at anything."

Patients with questions about access can call the number on the back of their insurance card for information about physicians and hospitals who accept United Healthcare insurance or visit United Healthcare’s website. For those interested in transitioning to another health plan that allows in-network coverage, plans accepted by UAB Health System entities, its affiliated hospitals and physician groups include:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and Blue Advantage
• Cigna Healthcare – Commercial plans
• Humana Choice Care – Commercial plans
• Viva Health Commercial and Medicare Advantage plans
• Aetna – Callahan Eye Hospital, Baptist Health, and UAB Medical West only
• HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plan – Callahan Eye Hospital and UAB Medical West only
• Humana Medicare – Callahan Eye Hospital, Baptist Health, and UAB Medical West only