FAQs about our negotiation with WakeMed

We are attempting to negotiate with WakeMed to renew our network relationship. Unfortunately, WakeMed continues to stall our negotiation, just as they have done in negotiations with multiple health plans over the past few years.

WakeMed has not delivered a single comprehensive proposal to date with less than two months remaining on our current agreement.

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 are asking 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.

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

  • Duke Raleigh Hospital
  • Duke Regional Hospital
  • Duke University Hospital
  • University of North Carolina Hospitals
  • Cape Fear Valley Pediatric Care
  • Johnston Health
  • Johnston Medical Center-Clayton
  • Rex Hospital
  • Wilson Medical Center

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: