Local hospitals to end acceptance of UnitedHealthcare insurance

Oct. 11—After several months of failed negotiations, Huntsville Hospital Health System said, it will no longer accept UnitedHealthcare's commercial insurance and Medicare Advantage.

The Huntsville Health System, which includes Decatur Morgan Hospital and Athens-Limestone Hospital, announced Thursday that it sent a notice of termination to United.

The termination does not include United's VA managed-care plan for veterans.

Patients with United Healthcare insurance may continue to use Huntsville Hospital Health System as an out-of-network hospital. There's no impact on out-of-pocket expenses for retired educators (PEEHIP), retired state employees (SEIB) if coverage is with UHC Medicare.

Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield will be the first hospital to leave when its contract ends Tuesday. Highlands Medical Center in Scottsboro will leave Oct. 31; followed by Huntsville and Madison hospitals Nov. 14 and Decatur Morgan Hospital on Nov. 30. The remaining Huntsville Health System hospitals will exit in 2025.

— bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432

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