White River Health announced that its hospitals and facility-based services will no longer be in network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans beginning January 1, 2027.
White River Health says frequent claim denials, administrative requirements and additional documentation demands led to the decision to leave the network.
According to the healthcare system, those issues have placed significant burdens on physicians and care teams and have also caused delays in patient care.
White River Health said Arkansas state retirees, teachers and patients with VA coverage are not affected by the change.
WRH CITES CLAIM DENIALS AND CARE DELAYS
In a statement, White River Health Chief Financial Officer Shawna Ives said the organization worked for more than a year in good faith with UnitedHealthcare to address problems in the partnership.
Ives said WRH made repeated efforts to resolve the concerns but did not see the progress needed to support what the system described as an effective working relationship.
She said White River Health’s priority remains making sure patients have access to high-quality care and allowing clinical teams to focus on meeting patient healthcare needs.
White River Health says the decision was not its preferred outcome, but it was made after ongoing concerns remained unresolved.
MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT NOW UNDERWAY
The announcement comes during Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 through December 7.
During that time, Medicare beneficiaries can review their coverage and make changes to their Medicare or prescription drug plans for the coming year.
Any changes made during the enrollment period will take effect January 1, 2027.
White River Health is encouraging patients who want to keep WRH hospitals and physicians in their network to carefully review their health insurance options before the enrollment deadline.
INSURANCE OPTIONS LISTED BY WHITE RIVER HEALTH
White River Health said patients who want to keep its hospitals and physicians in network can consider alternative plans.
The healthcare system listed the following options:
- Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Arkansas Integrated Providers Dual Advantage, HMO D-SNP
- Devoted
- Healthspring
- Tribute Select, HMO-POS / I-SNP
- Traditional Medicare
White River Health says patients should carefully review available coverage choices to understand how those plans may affect access to WRH services.
FREE HELP AVAILABLE FOR MEDICARE PATIENTS
White River Health says patients can receive free, unbiased help reviewing their coverage options.
That assistance is available from a licensed Medicare broker or through the White River Area Agency on Aging.
The White River Area Agency on Aging can be reached at 870-612-3000.
The health system says it wants patients to have the information they need to make informed decisions about their insurance coverage and continued access to care.
WHITE RIVER HEALTH SAYS CARE WILL CONTINUE
Ives said White River Health’s commitment to patients has not changed.
She said the physicians, nurses and care teams at WRH facilities will continue providing the high-quality care communities depend on.
White River Health includes White River Medical Center in Batesville, Stone County Medical Center in Mountain View, outpatient facilities, primary care offices and specialty physician practices.
The system is an independent, not-for-profit healthcare organization serving residents throughout North Central Arkansas.
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE ONLINE
White River Health says more information about its status with UnitedHealthcare is available online at whiteriverhealth.org/UHC.
Patients affected by the change are encouraged to review their Medicare coverage during the current enrollment period and confirm whether their preferred doctors, hospitals and services will remain in network for 2027.
Source: White River Health news release
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