Accessing caregivers you know and trust
As caregivers, nothing is more important to UT Health East Texas than ensuring our community has access to the care they need from the caregivers they know and trust.
In recent months, UT Health East Texas has been working in good faith to achieve a new agreement with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) that would ensure UHC members’ continued in-network access to UT Health East Texas while also protecting our ability to continue investing in high-quality care and services. Our current agreement with UHC is set to expire on August 31, 2023.
If we are unable to come to terms before the current agreement ends on August 31, UT Health East Texas and all of our affiliated hosptials, clinics and providers will no longer be in-network with UHC health insurance plans. We recognize the disruption this would create for you and your familiy and do not take it lightly.
What you need to know
UT Health East Texas is working in good faith to achieve an agreement that protects your in-network access to care.
Like health systems around the country, we continue to experience extraordinary cost pressures around labor, supplies and inflation. In order to continue investing in the quality care and services patients and employers have come to expect, we are seeking an agreement that fairly reimburses us at a level that reflects these additional costs.
Your ability to access emergency services from UT Health East Texas facilities at in-network rates will not be impacted.
Additionally, patients who are pregnant or receiving treatment for an ongoing medical condition can contact UHC to complete a continuity of care request to confirm eligibility and approval for continued in-network coverage.
What you can do today:
Contact UHC at 1-866-801-4409 / TTY711 or by using the number listed on the back of your insurance card to find out if you qualify for continuity of care services or if you have other out-of-network benefits under your plan. Ask UHC to work with UT Health East Texas to protect your in-network access to the care you need from the providers you know and trust.
If you are concerned with your employer’s current health plan, you should consult with your employer and you may visit uthealtheasttexas.com/insurance-plans to view all accepted insurance plans.
Medicare Advantage members may also click here to visit MedicareOnDemand, our one-stop resrouce for Medicare insurance information.
Frequently asked questions
What is happening between UT Health East Texas and UnitedHealthcare (UHC)?
UT Health East Texas has been working with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) to achieve a new contract that ensures UHC members can continue to receive in-network access to the hospitals, clinics, providers and services they know and trust. Unfortunately, a new agreement has not been reached.
As we continue to experience extraordinary cost pressures around labor, supplies and inflation, UT Health East Texas is seeking a compensation adjustment that offsets these cost increases. UT Health East Texas has offered UHC a solution that would protect UHC members’ in-network access to care.
When would UT Health East Texas be out-of-network with UnitedHealthcare?
We are preparing for UT Health East Texas and all affiliated hospitals, clinics and providers to no longer be in-network with UHC plans beginning September 1, 2023, if an agreement is not reached.
Yes. UT Health East Texas will continue to care for all patients – regardless of insurance status. Patients in need of emergency care should continue to come to the Emergency Room. Insurance companies are required to process emergency claims at an “in-network” level of benefit.
Patients can also contact UHC at 1-866-801-4409 / TTY 711 or by using the number listed on the back of your insurance card to find out if you qualify for continuity of care services or if you have other out-of-network benefits under your plan. Ask UHC to work with UT Health East Texas to protect your in-network access to the care you need from the providers you know and trust.
There are provisions that protect pregnant patients in their second or third trimester of pregnancy or those in active treatment for an illnesses (cancer, pain management, etc). In these cases, patients should be able to continue receiving care at “in-network” benefit levels through their continuity of care benefit. We encourage patients to call the number on the back of their insurance ID card and follow UHC’s procedure regarding continuity of care.
If we are unable to come to terms before the current contract ends on August 31, 2023, UT Health East Texas will no longer be in-network with all UHC health insurance plans.
If an agreement is not reached, UT Health East Texas will collect the co-pay allowed by the insurance plan and will then bill UHC for the remaining balance. It will be up to UHC to determine what portion of the remaining balance they will cover and what portion they will ask patients to pay out-of-pocket.
What other insurance plans include UT Health East Texas?
To view all health plans that consider UT Health East Texas in-network, you may visit uthealtheasttexas.com/insurance-plans.
Would a change in participation apply to all UT Health East Texas entities and physicians?
Yes. All UT Health East Texas affiliated hospitals, clinics and physician practices would be considered out-of-network for UHC plans.
Take action
Patients should have access to the caregivers and services they know and trust. Here’s what you can do to protect your right to choose where you receive care.
Contact UnitedHealthcare at 1-866-801-4409 / TTY 711 or by using the number listed on the back of your insurance card to find out if you qualify for continuity of care services or if you have other out-of-network benefits under your plan. Ask UnitedHealthcare to work with UT Health East Texas to protect your in-network access to the care you need from the providers you know and trust.
Medicare Advantage members may also click here to visit MedicareOnDemand, our one-stop resrouce for Medicare insurance information.