Mobile-based University of South Alabama hospitals will no longer be in UnitedHealthcare's Mississippi Medicaid managed care and children's provider networks, according to the Clarion Ledger.
The change, effective Dec. 15, could affect about 1,000 patients in South Mississippi. The U of South Alabama said it was surprised about the decision.
For patients living on the Mississippi Coast, seeking similar services U of South Alabama offers, such as a level 1 trauma center and level 4 neonatal intensive care, could mean a two and a half hour drive to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Alternatively, U of South Alabama is about a 45 minute drive from the Mississippi Coast.
In a written statement to the Clarion Ledger, UnitedHealthcare said it is "ensuring the long-term strength and stability of our Community Plan in Mississippi" and that the insurer "continuously monitor[s] the performance of our network providers and occasionally make[s] changes."
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