Updated April 2, 2025

We are engaged in active discussions with Duke LifePoint with the goal of reaching an agreement that is affordable while ensuring continued network access to the health system

Our current contract with Duke LifePoint (DLP) remains in effect through April 30, 2025 for our commercial members and through May 31, 2025 for people enrolled in our Medicare Advantage plans.

If we are unable to reach an agreement, DLP’s hospitals and providers will be out of network, as follows:

  • UnitedHealthcare employer sponsored commercial plans, including UMR, effective May 1, 2025
  • UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, including Group Retiree and Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP), effective June 1, 2025

Our top priority is to reach an agreement with DLP while ensuring continued, uninterrupted access to care for the people we serve

We continue to compromise and are proposing a contract that would help ensure the health system is still reimbursed at more than fair and reasonable rates while also helping to slow the unsustainable rise in health care costs.

In the event DLP leaves our network, people enrolled in our Group Retiree PPO plans may still receive care from a DLP physician as an out-of-network provider, if they are a Medicare-approved provider that accepts the plan. Their share of the cost will be the same as if they were part of the network.

UnitedHealthcare Group Retiree members are encouraged to speak with their physician to confirm they will continue to see them, regardless of their network status. For additional information about our Group Retiree plan as well as information on how to find a provider in their area, UnitedHealthcare members should go to retiree.uhc.com.

We remain committed to continued good-faith negotiation with the goal of reaching an agreement that’s sustainable for consumers and local employers

We know the relationship people have with their health care providers is not only important; it’s personal. That is why our top priority is to renew our relationship with DLP so the people we serve have continued access to the hospitals they know and trust for their health care needs. We are committed to meeting with the health system as often as it takes to reach a new agreement.