NEA Baptist Health System

We are actively negotiating with NEA Baptist Health System in Arkansas to renew our network relationship

Our top priority is to reach an agreement that is affordable for consumers and employers while maintaining continued network access to the health system.

Our current contract with NEA Baptist remains in effect through Nov. 14, 2025 for people enrolled in our commercial and Medicare Advantage plans.

In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital as well as its other facilities and its physicians would be out of network for the following benefit plans, effective Nov. 15, 2025:

  • UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored commercial plans, including UMR and Surest
  • UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, including Group Retiree and Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP)

Facts you should know

NEA Baptist proposes 33% rate increase over two years

NEA Baptist is seeking an approximate 33% price hike for our commercial plans over two years. Agreeing to these rate increases would significantly drive up premiums and out-of-pocket costs for consumers as well as the cost of doing business for Arkansas employers.

NEA Baptist's Medicare premium raises concerns

NEA Baptist is also asking for a significant premium on Medicare that would make them the most expensive provider in the state of Arkansas.

We're committed to reaching an agreement

We are meeting with NEA Baptist on a weekly basis and continue to compromise by proposing meaningful rate increases that would continue to reimburse NEA Baptist at market-competitive rates while balancing the affordability needs of consumers and employers.

NEA Baptist remains in-network through Nov. 14

For now, nothing changes. UnitedHealthcare commercial and Medicare Advantage members continue to have network access to NEA Baptist’s hospital and physicians through Nov. 14, 2025.

We know the care NEA Baptist provides to our members is not only important but also personal

If one of our members is in the middle of treatment for a serious or complex condition at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital or with an NEA Baptist physician and they go out of network, they may qualify for continuity of care. Continuity of care provides continued in-network benefits for a specified period of time after a hospital or physician leaves our network.

A few examples of patients who may qualify include:

  • Women who are pregnant;
  • Patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed cancer, or those currently in active cancer treatment.

Members who have questions about continuity of care or alternative hospitals and physicians in their area should call the number on their health plan ID card. Members can also use the provider directory on our member website to search for alternative hospitals and doctors.

Our track record of renewing contracts with providers is strong

We negotiate thousands of provider contracts every year, and the vast majority of those negotiations 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.

We are fully committed to engaging in productive, good-faith negotiation and remain focused on our goal of renewing our contract with NEA Baptist to allow people continued access to quality, affordable care.

We hope NEA Baptist shares our commitment of reaching an agreement that is affordable for the people and employers we serve.