Negotiations between Sarasota (Fla.) Memorial Hospital and UnitedHealthcare are stalling, the hospital told the Herald-Tribune Thursday.
The impasse comes as an agreement for Sarasota Memorial Hospital to remain part of UnitedHealthcare's provider network expires Dec. 31. Approximately 28,000 patients near the hospital could face out-of-network prices at Sarasota Memorial if a new contract is not signed.
Sarasota Memorial said in a statement to the Herald-Tribune it "asked UnitedHealthcare for a fair rate to cover reasonable costs that we incur -- a modest increase in reimbursement that we have negotiated with other major insurance providers in our region. UnitedHealthcare, however, has asked for a reduction in the reimbursement rate." Sarasota Memorial CFO William Woeltjen added the hospital has been waiting for UnitedHealthcare to respond to its latest offer since Aug. 30.
UnitedHealthcare spokesperson Elizabeth Calzadilla-Fiallo told the Herald-Tribune, "Rising medical costs are one of the most urgent issues facing Sarasota families, and we have relationships with many care providers across the state who are helping slow these unsustainable cost increases. We are committed to finding a solution that will keep Sarasota Memorial in our network."
UnitedHealthcare said it will resume negotiations and propose another rate, Mr. Woeltjen told the publication.
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