UnitedHealth Care Medicare Advantage Plans

UnitedHealthcare Contracts Update

Our Work to Preserve Your Access to Trusted Local Care

Medical Center Hospital and UnitedHealthcare

Updated December 8, 2023

At Medical Center Hospital (MCH), we value the opportunity to be part of your health care team.

For many months, we have been negotiating in good faith with UnitedHealthcare to come to new, fair agreements before our current contracts expire at the end of the year. We are simply asking to be reimbursed at similar rates as other health systems in West Texas by UHC for the same services. Unfortunately, progress has been slow. Unless we are able to reach an agreement soon, MCH hospitals, providers and clinics will be out of network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage and United Healthcare commercial (employer-sponsored) plans after December 31, 2023.

United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plans

Now is the time for you to consider your options for healthcare coverage in 2024. It is likely that MCH hospitals, providers and clinics will be out of network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans for 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is happening between MCH and UnitedHealthcare?

MCH has been negotiating with UnitedHealthcare to reach new, fair agreements for our Medicare Advantage plans before our current contracts expire at the end of 2023. If we cannot reach an agreement very soon, UHC will consider Medical Center Hospital, MCH outpatient clinics and ProCare physicians to be out of network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, beginning January 1, 2024.

Which MCH facilities would be affected?

All MCH facilities and ProCare physicians and advanced care providers would be affected.

Is there anything I need to do right now?

Nothing will change before January 1, 2024. You should keep any scheduled appointments and continue to see your MCH providers as normal.

You can still schedule appointments into 2024, although you may experience higher out-of-pocket costs if we are unable to come to an agreement and we go out of network.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, there is an additional change period for Medicare Advantage between January 1 and March 31, 2024. You can change to a different Medicare Advantage plan or switch to original Medicare (and join a separate Medicare drug plan) once during this time. Any changes you make will be effective the first day of the month after the plan gets your request.

When would UHC consider MCH services and facilities out of network?

If we cannot reach an agreement, beginning January 1, 2024, UHC will consider Medical Center Hospital, MCH outpatient clinics and ProCare physicians to be out of network with UHC Medicare Advantage plans.

What other Medicare plans does MCH accept?

MCH accepts many other Medicare Advantage plans, as shown in the chart at the bottom of this page.

What if I am in ongoing care for a chronic or serious condition?

Even if MCH goes out of network with UnitedHealthcare, some patients who have been receiving care from an MCH physician for a long-term or chronic condition may still be covered at in-network rates by UnitedHealthcare through a “Continuity of Care” program. Those patients who qualify for continuity of care benefits receive short-term, temporary coverage for their condition. It is important to know that only UnitedHealthcare can approve continuity of care benefits.

• To qualify, patients should request a continuity of care form from UnitedHealthcare.
• We will do our best to assist patients in filling out the required continuity of care form, but UnitedHealthcare will insist on preauthorization.
• Medical services will not be covered at in-network rates unless UnitedHealthcare has approved continuity of care benefits.

If MCH goes out of network with UnitedHealthcare, can I still seek medical care at MCH?

Yes. You can continue to visit the MCH doctors and facilities you know and trust in 2024, though you may have higher out-of-pocket costs.

Open enrollment ended Dec. 7. Can I still change my Medicare Advantage plan?

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, there is an additional change period for Medicare Advantage between January 1 and March 31, 2024. You can change to a different Medicare Advantage plan or switch to original Medicare (and join a separate Medicare drug plan) once during this time. Any changes you make will be effective the first day of the month after the plan gets your request.

If MCH goes out of network, will I be able to schedule appointments with MCH physicians?

Yes. You can continue to visit the MCH doctors and facilities you know and trust in 2024, though you may have higher out-of-pocket costs.

What about emergency care?

If you are having a medical emergency, always go to the nearest emergency room. All insurance companies are required by law to pay for emergency care regardless of network status.

What other Medicare plans does MCH accept?

What You Can Do

Consider your options during the upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment period, which ends December 7, 2023.