HealthOne and UnitedHealthcare reached a last-minute deal to keep the hospitals in-network, averting a separation that would have forced patients to find new doctors or pay more out-of-pocket.

When patients visit a hospital that has agreed to in-network rates, they pay either a flat fee or a portion of the cost of their care. If they go to an out-of-network facility, they could get a bill for whatever their insurance declined to cover. Federal and state law prevent surprise bills when a patient has an emergency, but not for scheduled care.

The two parties reached a multi-year deal that ensures continued, uninterrupted network access to the health system’s hospitals, facilities and physicians for people enrolled in employer-sponsored commercial plans, individual family plans and Medicare Advantage plans, including group retiree and dual special needs plans, Cole Manbeck, a United spokesman, wrote in a news release to announce the deal.

“We thank our members and customers for their support and patience throughout this process. We are honored to continue supporting all of the people throughout Colorado who depend on us for access to quality and affordable health care,” the news release stated.

The two businesses existing contract ended Sunday, and the two sides struggled to agree on rates for the next contract. If they hadn’t reached a deal, patients covered by United would have paid more to use:

• Centennial Hospital

• North Suburban Medical Center

• Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center

• Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children

• Rose Medical Center

• Sky Ridge Medical Center

• Swedish Medical Center

• The Medical Center of Aurora

United accused HealthOne of making “unreasonable” demands for double-digit increases in rates, while HealthOne said United offered rates below market levels for the Denver area.

Health systems and insurers usually reach a deal before their contracts expire, but CommonSpirit Health left Anthem BlueCross BlueShield of Colorado’s network for more than two weeks earlier this year when they couldn’t agree on rates by the deadline.



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