United Healthcare and ECU Health have paused negotiations on a new contract as of March 26, 2026, and patients caught in the middle are nervous.
The current contracts expire as follows:
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (Medicaid) of North Carolina:
- April 29, 2026: ECU Health hospitals and facilities as well as Vidant Medical Group physicians
- February 15, 2027: ECU Physicians
- Employer-Sponsored Plans, Individual Plans (On- and Off-Exchange), Group Retiree, and Medicare Advantage Plans:
- April 29, 2026: Vidant Medical Group physicians
- July 15, 2026: ECU Health hospitals and facilities
- November 1, 2026: Kinston Medical Endoscopy
- February 15, 2027: ECU Physicians
ECU Health has stated they are hoping to combat rising costs with a price hike in their contract with UnitedHealthcare. UnitedHealthcare has responded that this near 60% increase would raise costs for both premiums and medical bills.
Source: WCTI