Hartford HealthCare and UnitedHealthcare have reached a new multiyear contract agreement. This comes after their existing three-year agreement expired. A Hartford HealthCare spokesperson said the renewed contract will ensure uninterrupted access to Hartford HealthCare’s physicians, hospitals, and services for UnitedHealthcare members.
“This is good news for our patients and communities, and allows us to continue our mission to improve the health and healing of all,” the spokesperson said. A UnitedHealthcare representative also confirmed the agreement. It involves a multiyear contract with no disruption to in-network access.
Negotiations leading up to this agreement involved a new proposal from UnitedHealthcare to Hartford HealthCare. The proposal included rate increases consistent with the state’s health care cost benchmark program.
Hartford HealthCare and UnitedHealthcare agreement
However, UnitedHealthcare noted that Hartford HealthCare responded with demands for price hikes that nearly doubled the state’s health care cost benchmark. Hartford HealthCare also sought higher reimbursements than other health systems in UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage network in Connecticut. According to UnitedHealthcare, Hartford HealthCare’s proposal would have increased healthcare costs by $185 million for consumers and employers.
Despite the challenging negotiations, UnitedHealthcare delivered another proposal to Hartford HealthCare, which included additional compromises. “We urge Hartford HealthCare to finalize our latest proposal and ensure Connecticut families have access to affordable care,” stated the UnitedHealthcare spokesperson. Hartford HealthCare, the second-largest health system in Connecticut, includes Hartford Hospital among other facilities.
The new agreement covers Hartford HealthCare’s hospitals, surgery centers, and physicians. It ensures that the following UnitedHealthcare benefit plans remain in network: employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans, Oxford commercial plans, and Medicare Advantage plans, including group retiree and dual special needs plans. This agreement is set to provide stability and continued access to vital healthcare services for countless individuals and families across Connecticut.
