We are actively negotiating with Baptist Health in Arkansas

Our current contract with Baptist Health remains in effect through Dec. 31, 2025 for our Medicare Advantage plans. If we are unable to reach an agreement, Baptist Health would be out of network for our Medicare Advantage plans only, including Group Retiree and Dual Special Needs Plan (DSNP), effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Yes. Our goal is to reach agreement on a long-term contract that is affordable for the people we serve while avoiding any disruption for our members. We are committed to utilizing the remaining time on our contract to engage in continued good-faith negotiation with the goal of renewing our relationship with Baptist Health.

We are negotiating with Baptist Health to renew network access to the health system for the following benefit plans:

• UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, including Group Retiree and DSNP 

Our current negotiation does not impact our contract with Baptist Health’s hospitals, facilities or physicians for people enrolled in our employer-sponsored commercial plans. Those members continue to have in-network access to Baptist Health with no change, regardless of the outcome of our negotiation.

Continuity of care allows people in ongoing or active treatment for a serious or complex condition at the time a provider leaves our network to continue accessing care with their provider at in-network rates, until their treatment concludes.

Examples of conditions that would be eligible for continuity of care include but are not limited to the following:

• People in active treatment for cancer;
• Women who are pregnant

You must apply and be approved for continuity of care. For information regarding how to apply, whether you might be eligible, and much more, please call the number on your health plan ID card. Our dedicated team of advocates are ready to assist you with all your health care needs. 

We know the care Baptist Health provides is not only important but also personal to you and your family. That’s why we’re working hard to reach an agreement that would provide continued, long-term network access to the health system.

However, in the event Baptist Health leaves our network, we want you to know you continue to have access to a broad network of hospitals and physicians throughout Arkansas.

Some examples of hospitals that remain in our network in the area include, but are not limited to:

• CHI St. Vincent Health System
• UAMS Health System
• Mercy Health System

If you or a family member has questions or needs assistance finding alternative providers in your area, please call the number on your health plan ID card. You can also use the provider directory at myuhc.com to search for alternative hospitals and physicians in your area.

You should always go to the nearest hospital in the event of an emergency. Services will be covered at the in-network benefit level, regardless of whether the hospital participates in UnitedHealthcare’s network.

If you are enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare Group Retiree PPO plan, you may still receive care at Baptist Health’s hospitals, facilities and with its physicians as an out-of-network provider, if they are a Medicare-approved provider that accepts the plan. Your share of the cost will typically be the same as if they were part of the network.

We encourage you to speak with your local hospital or physician to confirm they’ll continue to see you, regardless of their network status. 

For additional information about our Group Retiree plan as well as information on how to find a provider in your area, please go to retiree.uhc.com.

Contract negotiations between providers and insurers are common. At UnitedHealthcare, we negotiate about 2,000 provider contracts every year on average. The vast majority of those result in renewed contracts with no disruption for our members, and also no external noise as the negotiations are handled professionally and behind closed doors.

Our track record of renewing contracts with providers is strong, as evidenced by the fact that we have a network of more than 7,000 hospitals and 1.7 million physicians. We are fully committed to engaging in productive, good-faith negotiation and remain focused on our goal of renewing our contract with Baptist Heath so that our members have continued access to quality care.