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Earlier this year, we let you know that White River Health was in active negotiations with UnitedHealthcare. Here’s an update as Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period gets underway.
Unfortunately, we have not made meaningful progress toward a fair agreement for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans in 2027. White River Health continues to seek terms that fairly support the high-quality, local care our patients rely on and our ability to continue investing in the physicians, services and resources our community needs.
Over six months ago, we raised concerns to UnitedHealthcare that their delayed payments, high rates of care denials, and excess paperwork was impeding on our ability to deliver patient care. Instead of partnership, the concerns grew worse.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members can continue receiving in-network care from White River Health doctors, hospitals and services through December 31, 2026.
UnitedHealthcare may reach out asking you to switch to a different doctor or provider in its network. You don’t have to.
If you want to keep seeing your White River Health doctors, Annual Enrollment is your chance to select coverage for next year that keeps us in network.
White River Health is confirmed to be in network for 2027 with the following Medicare Advantage plans and Traditional fee-for-service Medicare:
For help reviewing your individual options, contact your trusted Medicare broker or White River Area Agency on Aging at (870) 612-3000. For more information click on the link below.
Not all Medicare plans are the same. Provider networks, prescription coverage, costs and other benefits can vary, even between plans that may look similar.
As you review your options with a Medicare broker or other trusted resource, consider asking:
Download the Medicare Checklist using the link below.
Earlier this year, White River Health shared information with patients about our ongoing discussions with UnitedHealthcare.
White River Health and UnitedHealthcare extended our current agreement through the end of 2026 to allow more time to work toward a new agreement. Unfortunately, we have not made meaningful progress toward an agreement for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans for 2027.
At this time, we expect White River Health to be out of network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage beginning January 1, 2027.
No. White River Health remains in network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage through December 31, 2026.
Starting January 1, 2027, anyone with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage will pay more out-of-pocket for care provided by our White River Health doctors and hospitals. For now, you can continue scheduling care with WRH doctors and hospitals and remain in-network through the end of the year.
If there is no change to the current situation, White River Health expects to be out of network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage beginning January 1, 2027
No. This information is specific to patient enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans.
Patients with UnitedHealthcare health insurance through their employer are not affected. Retirees with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage through their former employer are not affect. For example - Arkansas State retirees and Boeing Retirees are not affected.
White River Health has continued working toward an agreement that fairly supports the care our physicians, nurses and teams provide to the communities we serve.
The current agreement was extended through the end of 2026 to provide additional time for discussions, but we have not made meaningful progress toward a Medicare Advantage agreement for 2027.
Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can review their coverage and make certain changes for the following year.
If maintaining in-network access to White River Health is important to you, now is the time to review your options for 2027.
We know how important it is to have doctors you trust, care teams that know your health history and access to care close to home.
As you review your options for 2027, consider the doctors, hospitals and services that are important to your care, along with your prescriptions, costs and other healthcare needs.
Questions to consider include:
White River Health is confirmed to be in network for 2027 with the following Medicare Advantage plans:
If you are a retiree with a Medicare Advantage Plan through your former employer, your coverage will not change. For Example - Arkansas State Retirees, Boeing Retirees, etc.
UnitedHealthcare may provide information about selecting a different primary care physician or other providers who will remain in its network in 2027.Before making any changes, we encourage you to consider your individual healthcare needs, including the relationships you have with the doctors and care teams who know you today.
The current agreement was extended through the end of 2026 to provide additional time for discussions, but we have not made meaningful progress toward a Medicare Advantage agreement for 2027.
For help reviewing your individual options, contact your trusted Medicare broker or the White River Area Agency on Aging at (870) 612-3000.
Consider bringing the White River Health Medicare Broker Checklist with you to help make sure your doctors, prescriptions, costs and other healthcare needs are part of the conversation.
If a new agreement is not reached, White River Health expects to be out of network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage beginning January 1, 2027. Your specific coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs will depend on your UnitedHealthcare plan. Contact UnitedHealthcare using the number on the back of your insurance card for information about your individual benefits.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. You will always have emergency coverage at White River Health facilities.
Check this page, whiteriverhealth.org/UHC or call our patient support team at (870) 262-3777 for the latest information.