Update on Prisma, United Healthcare negotiations

Patients who use Prisma Health and have United Healthcare insurance continue to ask about negotiations between the two entities. In August, Prisma Health sent a letter to patients saying that on Jan. 1, 2024, unless Prisma can reach new agreements, United will no longer include Prisma Health as an in-network health care provider for you.To read what Prisma said in August, click here. Prima Health sent the following statement to WYFF News 4 on Thursday: (Scroll down for United Healthcare’s statement) “As it stands today, Prisma Health will be out of network with all UnitedHealthcare insurance plans on Jan. 1, 2024. We have been attempting in good faith to negotiate agreements with UnitedHealthcare that reimburse us for the increased costs for medical care we are providing to patients covered under their insurance products. Although those discussions are continuing, there has been no meaningful progress as of today.”We believe our patients need to know where things stand so they have the time and information they need to make informed decisions about their healthcare insurance coverage and network. We are communicating this information directly to our patients with UnitedHealthcare insurance, including those with a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan. During the annual Medicare Open Enrollment period, which runs through Dec. 7, 2023, patients can choose a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Prisma Health doctors, nurses and hospitals as in-network options.”Prisma Health and other major health insurance companies in South Carolina have partnered and come to an agreement on fair contract terms that recognize the extraordinary inflationary cost increases Prisma Health is bearing for their health plan members. Unfortunately, UnitedHealthcare has not.”We deeply appreciate the trust that our patients place in us. We will continue to work on their behalf, and we remain at the negotiating table in the event UnitedHealthcare wants to discuss a fair arrangement.”A list of insurance plans that include Prisma Health as in-network providers is posted on the Prisma Health website at www.PrismaHealth.org/Insurance.”For more news, weather and entertainment news- Download the WYFF News 4 app: Apple | Google PlayUnited Healthcare posted the following statement on its website on Oct. 13: “We have negotiated with Prisma Health for the past several months in an effort to renew our relationship. If we are unable to reach an agreement, the health system’s hospitals, facilities, and physicians will be out of network for employer-sponsored commercial plans and Medicare Advantage plans, effective Jan. 1, 2024.”Our goal is to renew our relationship without any disruption while also helping ensure health care remains affordable for the people and employers we serve throughout South Carolina.”Unfortunately, Prisma Health continues to repeat its demands for a more than 20% price hike over the next 15 months for our employer-sponsored commercial plans, which is not realistic, affordable or sustainable for South Carolinians and employers. Agreeing to Prisma’s proposal would increase health care costs by more than $60 million, significantly driving up premiums and out-of-pocket costs for the people we serve as well as the cost of doing business for employers.”

Patients who use Prisma Health and have United Healthcare insurance continue to ask about negotiations between the two entities.

In August, Prisma Health sent a letter to patients saying that on Jan. 1, 2024, unless Prisma can reach new agreements, United will no longer include Prisma Health as an in-network health care provider for you.

To read what Prisma said in August, click here.

Prima Health sent the following statement to WYFF News 4 on Thursday: (Scroll down for United Healthcare’s statement)

“As it stands today, Prisma Health will be out of network with all UnitedHealthcare insurance plans on Jan. 1, 2024. We have been attempting in good faith to negotiate agreements with UnitedHealthcare that reimburse us for the increased costs for medical care we are providing to patients covered under their insurance products. Although those discussions are continuing, there has been no meaningful progress as of today.

“We believe our patients need to know where things stand so they have the time and information they need to make informed decisions about their healthcare insurance coverage and network. We are communicating this information directly to our patients with UnitedHealthcare insurance, including those with a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan. During the annual Medicare Open Enrollment period, which runs through Dec. 7, 2023, patients can choose a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Prisma Health doctors, nurses and hospitals as in-network options.

“Prisma Health and other major health insurance companies in South Carolina have partnered and come to an agreement on fair contract terms that recognize the extraordinary inflationary cost increases Prisma Health is bearing for their health plan members. Unfortunately, UnitedHealthcare has not.

“We deeply appreciate the trust that our patients place in us. We will continue to work on their behalf, and we remain at the negotiating table in the event UnitedHealthcare wants to discuss a fair arrangement.

“A list of insurance plans that include Prisma Health as in-network providers is posted on the Prisma Health website at www.PrismaHealth.org/Insurance.”

For more news, weather and entertainment news- Download the WYFF News 4 app: Apple | Google Play

United Healthcare posted the following statement on its website on Oct. 13:

“We have negotiated with Prisma Health for the past several months in an effort to renew our relationship. If we are unable to reach an agreement, the health system’s hospitals, facilities, and physicians will be out of network for employer-sponsored commercial plans and Medicare Advantage plans, effective Jan. 1, 2024.

“Our goal is to renew our relationship without any disruption while also helping ensure health care remains affordable for the people and employers we serve throughout South Carolina.

“Unfortunately, Prisma Health continues to repeat its demands for a more than 20% price hike over the next 15 months for our employer-sponsored commercial plans, which is not realistic, affordable or sustainable for South Carolinians and employers. Agreeing to Prisma’s proposal would increase health care costs by more than $60 million, significantly driving up premiums and out-of-pocket costs for the people we serve as well as the cost of doing business for employers.”

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