The two local industry leaders have formalized their agreement after announcing earlier that an agreement in principal was in place.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — UnitedHealthcare and Huntsville Hospital Health System have completed a multi-year agreement that ensures continued in-network access for patients.
The announcement by UnitedHealthcare on Wednesday follows a release from HH Health System last week indicating that the two companies had come to terms.
An earlier breakdown in negotiations threatened to remove tens of thousands of Tennessee Valley residents from in-network coverage.
The comprehensive deal covers nine hospitals within the Huntsville Hospital Health System network, including major medical centers such as Huntsville Hospital, Decatur Morgan Hospital, and Helen Keller Hospital. This agreement impacts a wide range of patients, spanning multiple insurance plan types including employer-sponsored commercial plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Individual Family Plans (IFPs).
Jeff Samz, Chief Executive Officer of the Huntsville Hospital Health System, emphasized the patient-centric nature of the agreement.
“This new agreement enables patients to continue to have access to the HH Health care teams that they know and trust,” he said. “Our patients will always be our first priority.”
The hospitals included in the network access agreement are:
- Red Bay Hospital
- Helen Keller Hospital
- Highlands Medical Center
- Huntsville Hospital
- Decatur Morgan Hospital
- Marshall Medical Center
- Athens-Limestone Hospital
- DeKalb Regional Medical Center
- Lincoln Medical Center
Patients with UnitedHealthcare coverage, including those with employer-sponsored plans through UMR, Medicare Advantage plans (including Group Retiree and Dual Special Needs Plans), and Individual Family Plans, will benefit from this continued partnership.
The agreement comes after months of negotiations, providing relief to patients who might have been concerned about potential disruptions in their healthcare access. By maintaining the in-network status, the agreement ensures that patients can continue receiving care at these trusted healthcare facilities without unexpected financial burdens.
UnitedHealthcare expressed gratitude to its members and customers, highlighting their commitment to providing quality and affordable healthcare access throughout the North Alabama region.
Patients are encouraged to verify their specific coverage details with UnitedHealthcare and confirm their local hospital’s network status to ensure smooth healthcare experiences.
