Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision (AmSurg) Healthcare's contract with Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealthcare expires at the end of the year, and Envision launched a website to clarify where at the companies stand in the negotiation process.
Here's what you should know:
1. Envision has been negotiating with UnitedHealthcare throughout the year to extend its agreement with the payer.
2. UnitedHealthcare sent letters to hospitals in Envision's network in September, saying it would let Envision's contract lapse.
3. Envision claims it is not seeking rate increases from UnitedHealthcare in 2019.
4. Envision has signed three new contracts with other major payers to prepare for a lapse.
5. On the website, Envision said UnitedHealthcare is willing to let the contract lapse because "UnitedHealthcare views physician and hospitals as entries on a spreadsheet, with no recognition of value or commitment to partnership."
6. Going forward, Envision said it would continue to negotiate with UnitedHealthcare in an attempt to reach an agreement.
7. UnitedHealthcare Vice President of Corporate Communication Stephen Shivinsky sent a statement to Becker's, "Envision is already charging more than two times the average cost of other [emergency room] physicians in UnitedHealthcare's network and many of our customers tell us they do not want to pay those rates. We remain committed to working with Envision in finding a solution that will renew their participation in our network at rates that are affordable and predictable for the customers and members we serve."