As of the end of the day, Friday, August 12, 2022, OU Health and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) have come to a resolution. The two organizations had been negotiating their contract since November of 2021.
The agreement between OU Health and UHC for hospital and clinic facilities and services terminated on May 1, 2022, but have now been reinstated. UHC has agreed to retroactively process the out-of-network claims that would now be considered in-network. OU Health Partners, the health system’s physician and provider group, was under a separate contract, which was in effect through the end of 2022. Under the new agreement, the provider’s contract was extended through July 31, 2024. OU Health and UHC also agreed to re-engage transplant services to the same level as prior to May 1, 2022.
“With so many of our services not available anywhere else in the state, we are so pleased to be able to continue to care for our UHC-insured patients, so they can continue to receive services like cancer treatment or comprehensive children’s care,” said Richard Lofgren, M.D., OU Health president and CEO.
“Throughout this time, our focus and commitment to patient care and being an institution that champions the health of our state hasn’t changed,” Lofgren said. “We are extremely pleased to be able to reinstate and continue our partnership with UHC, and together, we will make a difference in the lives of Oklahomans.”