More physicians sign contract with UnitedHealthcare
KINGSPORT — Several physician groups have independently signed contract agreements with UnitedHealthcare to participate in its 2012 AARP Medicare Advantage plan, formerly Secure Horizons.
UnitedHealthcare spokesman Jon Stone said Wednesday that Highlands Physicians Inc. — a Kingsport-based physician group association representing various local practices in the region — sent UnitedHealthcare’s contract proposal to its associated medical practices for consideration, and “a significant number of these practices have accepted our offer.”
Physician groups that have accepted the offer and will be participating in United’s Medicare network for 2012 include Holston Medical Group, Mountain Region Family Medicine and Wellmont Physician Services.
Stone did not say which physician groups had rejected the offer.
“Those practice groups that have declined our offer will be considered out of network for the 2012 plan year,” Stone said. He said UnitedHealthcare members who seek care from these practice groups will receive letters advising them of their options for 2012.
In early November, Highlands Physicians Inc. notified its physician group members that it had not reached a contract agreement with UnitedHealthcare for 2012. Holston Medical Group, one of the area’s largest practices, sent letters dated Nov. 16 to more than 6,500 households, notifying its Medicare patients of the situation. However, many seniors contacted the Times- News, saying they didn’t receive those letters until late last week, giving them just days to decide whether to switch health care providers or insurance carriers before the Dec. 7 Medicare enrollment deadline.
Late Tuesday, HMG issued a news release announcing it had accepted an agreement with UnitedHealthcare.
On Wednesday, Mountain Region Family Medicine Practice Administrator Jerry Flanary said his group had also accepted the agreement and will be participating in United’s Medicare network.
Still, Flanary said there has been some confusion at Mountain Region because of the contract standstill between Mountain States Health Alliance and Cigna for 2012. Flanary said some patients think that situation impacts them at Mountain Region because the name is similar to Mountain States. He said Mountain Region Family Medicine will participate in the Cigna network next year.
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