According to Lawrence Medical Center Chief Clinical Officer Ashley Mayfield, the hospital will not be affected by failed negotiations between the Huntsville Hospital System and United Healthcare.
Lawrence Medical is affiliated with, but not owned by, the Huntsville Hospital System, which means it negotiates prices with insurance providers on its own.
“Therefore, our contract with United Healthcare insurance has not changed. However, we will be reviewing our options in the near future to determine what is best for this community and our facility,” Lawrence Medical Center posted on its social media accounts.
North Alabama hospitals that are owned by the Huntsville Hospital System will also terminate contracts with United Healthcare insurance.
Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield was the first hospital to leave when its contract ended Oct. 15. 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.
United Health Group is ranked 8th on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies by total revenue and is the largest health care company on the list.