St. Bernards going out-of-network with United HealthCare

JONESBORO — Effective May 1, St. Bernards Medical Center and all related inpatient and outpatient facilities will become out-of-network for patients covered by UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation's largest health insurance companies.

Chris Barber, president and CEO of St. Bernards Healthcare, announced the development late Friday.

"For more than a year, UnitedHealthcare has consistently delayed measures to improve how it partners with our hardworking healthcare providers who practice at St. Bernards," Barber said in a news release. "From our perspective, UnitedHealthcare continues to require unnecessary red tape for our providers and patients alike, restricting how we provide care and when our patients receive it.

"We value our partners at St. Bernards because they contribute vital services to the health of our community. Regrettably, we believe a common theme emerges – UnitedHealthcare has a record of strained relationships with healthcare providers. With St. Bernards, UnitedHealthcare's inaction and lack of urgency made it clear to us that UnitedHealthcare did not wish to establish a mutually equitable relationship. Therefore, there will be no further discussion pertaining to the 2024 plan year."

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that two other hospital systems went out-of-network with UnitedHealthcare in 2023, but reached new agreements within a few weeks.

"In our opinion, UnitedHealthcare could have taken action, shielding its members from this uncertainty," Barber continued. "It did not have to be this way, but we cannot move forward under any agreement that we believe compromises our community's overall health, wellness and safety."

St. Bernards Behavioral Health Hospital and St. Bernards Counseling Center became out-of-network with UnitedHealthcare in January, and more than 300 healthcare providers in the St. Bernards Healthcare system transitioned to out-of-network status on Friday.

St. Bernards said more information is available at stbernards.info/uhc or by calling 870-207-1888 or 870-207-1889, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.