Business & Tech

United Healthcare Patients May Soon Pay Out-of-Network Rates for NGHS Providers

North Georgia Health System contract with United Healthcare set to expire on Aug. 21.

Local patients with United Health Care insurance coverage may soon be faced with out-of-network rates if they use a North Georgia Health System (NGHS) provider. Unless a new agreement is reached by Aug. 21, Northeast Georgia Medical Center and  will be considered out-of-network for patients with United Healthcare insurance according to a NGHS press release.

“This means many families across Northeast Georgia will have limited access to our facilities and our physician group and may be required to leave the area for the services they now receive close to home unless they want to pay higher out-of-pocket costs imposed by United,” said Melissa Tymchuk, a spokesperson for Northeast Georgia Health System, in a released statement. “We are committed to continuing discussions up to the deadline with United, but are growing increasingly concerned.  We’re taking steps to prepare for the worst and want to be ready to help our patients through this.”

Patients with United Healthcare insurance will still receive in-network rates at NGHS facilities until Aug. 21.

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“We know this situation causes concern, and we want nothing more than to resolve this so we can continue to care for our patients at full in-network benefit levels and at a lower cost to them,” said Tymchuk.

NGHS facilities affected by the United Healthcare contract include:

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  • Northeast Georgia Medical Center
  • All locations and physicians
  • Urgent Care (all locations including Braselton, Buford and Gainesville)
  • Imaging Center (all locations including Braselton and Gainesville)
  • The Rehabilitation Institute (all locations including Braselton, Buford, Cleveland, Dahlonega, Dawsonville, Gainesville and Oakwood)
  • The Toccoa Cancer Center
  • Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center 

For more information regarding NGHS’ contract negotiations with United Healthcare, visit www.nghs.com/united


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