Piedmont Fayette, United Healthcare stalemate continues [View all]

On July 1, thousands of United Healthcare subscribers in Fayette County and nearby areas lost medical insurance coverage with more than 1,400 physicians who are part of the Piedmont Clinic system, as well as with Piedmont Fayette, Piedmont Henry and Piedmont Newnan hospitals.

Contract negotiations between Piedmont and United Healthcare were not resolved by June 30, with each blaming the other for not coming to terms that would have continued in-network coverage for many commercial employees as well as individuals covered under three Georgia Health Insurance Marketplace commercial plans.

Individuals with United Healthcare plans can continue using Piedmont doctors and facilities, but must pay much higher out-of-network costs to do so. This leaves many people with the difficult choice of either having to find new insurance coverage or new doctors.

United Healthcare issued a statement saying, “We offered Piedmont fair and competitive rate increases that would ensure their hospitals and physicians are paid appropriately for the important services they provide. But the health system wanted significantly higher rate increases for the next three years without committing to any facility performance measures that emphasize quality care, paying for improved health outcomes, and lower costs.”

Read more: http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/at-issue-piedmont-fayette-united-healthcare-stalem/nsD96/