Committed to keeping you informed

We understand this is difficult, and we promise to keep you informed every step of the way as we work hard to reach an agreement. We have prepared the following FAQs to help answer any questions you or your family might have regarding our negotiation as well as important information regarding next steps.

Frequently asked questions

We are attempting to negotiate with WakeMed to renew our network relationship.

Unfortunately, despite our repeated efforts to engage in good-faith discussions, WakeMed has continued to stall and delay our negotiation, just as they have done in negotiations with multiple health plans over the past few years.

With only two weeks before our contract is set to expire on Nov. 15, WakeMed finally sent us its first comprehensive proposal on Oct. 30. Instead of working toward a compromise, WakeMed is demanding unsustainable price hikes of nearly 40%, including a 30% increase in just the first year of our contract, which would increase health care costs for consumers and employers in North Carolina by more than $94 million over two years. 

We remain committed to good-faith negotiation with the goal of renewing our relationship. Our goal is to keep WakeMed in our network at market-competitive rates while providing North Carolinians continued access to care that is affordable and sustainable. We ask WakeMed to join us at the negotiating table and work toward an agreement.

In the event we are unable to reach an agreement, WakeMed’s facilities and specialty providers in the Raleigh region will be out of network for people enrolled in the following plans, effective Nov. 15, 2025:

  • Employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans
  • Medicare Advantage plans, including Group Retiree, and Dual Special Needs Plan (DSNP) 

Primary care physicians employed by WakeMed are not impacted by this negotiation and will remain in-network, regardless of the outcome of our negotiation.

People enrolled in our Medicaid plans will continue to have network access to WakeMed, regardless of the outcome of our negotiation.

Yes. Primary care physicians employed by WakeMed are not impacted by this negotiation and will remain in-network, regardless of the outcome of our negotiation.

The negotiation impacts the following hospitals:

  • WakeMed Cary Hospital
  • WakeMed Raleigh Campus
  • WakeMed North Hospital

This negotiation impacts members enrolled in the following plans:

  • Employer-sponsored and individual commercial plans
  • Medicare Advantage plans, including Group Retiree, and Dual Special Needs Plan (DSNP) 

Primary care physicians employed by WakeMed are not impacted by this negotiation and will remain in-network, regardless of the outcome of our negotiation.

People enrolled in our Medicaid plans will continue to have network access to WakeMed, regardless of the outcome of our negotiation.

People enrolled in our Medicare Advantage PPO and Group Retiree plans may receive care from an out-of-network provider, if the provider is a Medicare participating provider which accepts the plan.

If people have a Group Retiree PPO plan, their share of the cost is typically the same as if the provider was part of the network.

Members enrolled in our Medicare Advantage PPO and Group Retiree plans are encouraged to speak with the provider to confirm they will provide care, regardless of their network status.

Primary care physicians employed by WakeMed are not impacted by this negotiation and will remain in-network, regardless of the outcome of our negotiation.

For support finding in-network hospitals, members can call the customer care number on their health plan ID card or visit their plan’s website:

If we are unable to renew our agreement with WakeMed, our members will continue to have access to a broad network of hospitals and specialty providers across the Raleigh area, including, but not limited to:

  • UNC Rex Hospital
  • UNC Medical Center
  • UNC Health Johnston
  • UNC Health Johnston in Clayton
  • Duke Raleigh Hospital
  • Duke Regional Hospital
  • Duke University Medical Center
  • Wilson Medical Center
  • Cape Fear Valley Central Harnett Hospital

Primary care physicians employed by WakeMed are not impacted by this negotiation and will remain in-network, regardless of the outcome of our negotiation.

People enrolled in our Medicaid plans will continue to have network access to WakeMed, regardless of the outcome of our negotiation.

For support finding in-network hospitals, members can call the customer care number on their health plan ID card or visit their plan’s website:

UnitedHealthcare members who are in the middle of treatment at a WakeMed hospital or with a WakeMed specialty provider may qualify for continuity of care, which provides continued in-network benefits for a specified period of time after a hospital or physician leaves our network.

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

People who have questions about continuity of care, including whether they might be eligible and how to apply, should call the number on the back of their health plan ID card.

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

For support finding in-network hospitals, members can call the customer care number on their health plan ID card or visit their plan’s website: