UnitedHealthcare responds to dispute

JONESBORO — One of the nation's largest health insurance providers blames St. Bernards Healthcare for failing to reach an agreement for in-network services, and on Tuesday said patients have alternatives.

"It's unfortunate St. Bernards is refusing to work with us to reach an agreement that is affordable and in the best interests of families and employers in Arkansas," a spokesman for UnitedHealthcare said in a statement. "Throughout our negotiation St. Bernards has refused to provide a single formal proposal and has rejected multiple requests to extend our current contract, which would have allowed both organizations additional time to negotiate while avoiding any disruption to care for our members.

"While we remain open and committed to good-faith discussions, our focus now is ensuring the people we serve have access to the care they need through either continuity of care or a smooth transition to another provider, as appropriate."

On Friday, the Jonesboro-based health care provider announced that 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, effective May 1.

In Friday's announcement, Chris Barber, CEO of St. Bernards said "UnitedHealthcare continues to require unnecessary red tape for our providers and patients alike, restricting how we provide care and when our patients receive it."

Some services became out-of-network on March 1, including SHARP providers for members enrolled in employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans, Medicare Advantage and Group Retiree plans, as well as VA Community Care Network (VACCN) plans.

St. Bernards' affiliated Five Rivers Medical Center will remain in-network for members enrolled in employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans, as well as Medicare Advantage and Group Retiree plans until April 1 and Crossridge Community Hospital until Jan. 1, 2025.

For members with VACCN plans, Five Rivers Medical Center, St. Bernards Medical Center, and CrossRidge Community Hospital will be out of network, effective May 1.

UnitedHealthcare members still have in-network options in Northeast Arkansas, including NEA Baptist, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), ARCARE and 1st Choice Healthcare, according to the company.

UnitedHealthcare members who are in the middle of treatment from a St. Bernards SHARP IPA provider may qualify for continuity of care, which provides continued in-network benefits for a specified period of time after a provider leaves the network.

Members who have questions about continuity of care should call the number on their health plan ID card.

UnitedHealthcare also points out that St. Bernards hospitals remain in-network for the time being, and in the event of an emergency, UnitedHealthcare members should go to the nearest hospital. Emergency care will be covered at the in-network benefit level, regardless of whether the hospital participates in network.

The company also directs members to call the customer care number on their health plan ID card or visit their plan's website:

myuhc.com

myuhcmedicare.com

retiree.uhc.com for Group Retiree plans

Information on how many residents of Northeast Arkansas are affected by the dispute has not been made available.