July 16, 2026
UnitedHealthcare has extended network access to ECU Health’s hospitals, a day after the latest deadline passed. The insurance company says the extension runs through August 6th for commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Individual Family Plan participants.
Vidant Medical Group physicians, which went out of network on April 29th, remain out of network.
Sources: UnitedHealthcare, WITN
June 1, 2026
There has been no movement in the negotiations between ECU Health and UnitedHealthcare. As of June, 1, 2026:
Employer-Sponsored Plans, Individual Plans (On- and Off-Exchange), Group Retiree, and Medicare Advantage Plans:
- Vidant Medical Group physicians went out of network on April 29, 2026.
- ECU Health hospitals and facilities will be out of network on and after July 15, 2026.
- Kinston Medical Endoscopy will be out of network on and after November 1, 2026.
- ECU Physicians will be out of network on and after February 15, 2027.
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (Medicaid) of North Carolina:
- ECU Health hospitals and facilities, as well as Vidant Medical Group physicians, went out of network on April 29, 2026.
- ECU Physicians will be out of network on and after February 15, 2027.
UnitedHealthcare and ECU Health are both maintaining member microsites about the matter, and patients are urged to check with providers prior to receiving treatment.
Sources: ECU Health, UnitedHealthcare
April 30, 2026
ECU Health Hospitals and Vidant Medical Group are now announcing that they are out-of-network with UnitedHealthcare, as per the previously-published schedule:
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 published an updated statement on the matter. UnitedHealthcare’s prior statement remains current.
Source: WITN
April 27, 2026
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