ECHN Cuts Off General Care for UnitedHealthcare Members at Manchester, Rockville Hospitals

Eastern Connecticut Health Network’s Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals are no longer participating in UnitedHealthcare/Oxford Health plans, the regional medical company said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Oct. 15 deadline passed with no new fee agreement and ECHN officials said they have terminated part of the relationship.

"ECHN is extremely disappointed that United has failed to come to the negotiation table with a reasonable contract proposal, which is extremely disruptive to their members who now have to seek out other healthcare providers," the health network said in a statement.
 
ECHN officials said "non-participation" means that patients with United or Oxford commercial insurance, including Golden Rule and Definity Plans, are affected.

The termination does not affect patients covered under any Medicare Advantage plan, such as Secure Horizons, Evercare, AARP Medicare supplemental plans or any other Medicare plans, ECHN officials said. 

“Unfortunately, United has been unwilling to negotiate a contract based on industry standards that ensures adequate reimbursement for the care our health system provides to its members,” said Michael D. Veillette, senior vice president for finance and information services. “In the limited communication we have had with United, they have demanded reductions in rate reimbursements.”

UHC took a different tone.

“We are disappointed that we were unable to reach a new contract by the deadline. However, we remain committed to establishing a new agreement, and UnitedHealthcare and ECHN are currently engaged in continuing discussions," a spokeswoman for the insurer said on Tuesday. "In the meantime, our members have five other hospitals in Eastern Connecticut and the greater Hartford area – and nearly 30 statewide – that they can continue to access within network benefits.”

Those hospitals are:

• Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford.
• Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford.
• Hartford Hospital.
• Windham Community Memorial in Willimantic.
• Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford.

Physicians often have privileges in more than one hospital.

Officials said ECHN "remains firm in its position to protect the health and well-being of its patients."

Company officials added, "Over time, inadequate reimbursements can negatively impact the quality of patient care, which would threaten the future of the two hospitals."

Both sides said emergency care will still be honored at the hospitals.

Woodlake at Tolland is not affected and neither are satellite physicians offices that carry the ECHN banner, UHC officials have maintained.

ECHN officials said patients with certain conditions may continue treatment at ECHN if UHC approves a request for continuation of care.

ECHN has created a designated line for questions at 860-533-6566 or community members can contact ECHN through its website at info@echn.org.