MOBILE, Alabama (Oct. 15, 2025) – Health insurance contracts between UnitedHealthcare and USA Health Providence Hospital will expire if an agreement can’t be reached by Nov. 14, 2025. Beginning Nov. 15, UnitedHealthcare members will no longer have in-network coverage at Providence Hospital. This means patients may experience higher out-of-pocket costs when receiving care at Providence Hospital.

The contracts apply to both employer-sponsored commercial plans and Medicare Advantage plans.

For many months, USA Health has worked to reach a fair agreement with UnitedHealthcare so that patients can continue accessing care without disruption. Unfortunately, despite USA Health’s best efforts, an agreement has not been reached.

Patients with UnitedHealthcare insurance will continue to have in-network coverage for Providence Hospital services through Nov. 14. If an agreement is not reached, UnitedHealthcare members who seek care at Providence Hospital will be responsible for paying out-of-network costs starting Nov. 15.

“Our goal has always been to remain in network and for our patients to be able to see the providers they know and trust at USA Health Providence Hospital without interruption,” said Natalie Fox, DNP, PNP-BC, interim CEO of USA Health. “Unfortunately, UnitedHealthcare’s approach to contract negotiations has so far made this effort unsuccessful, as it has in other markets. We are very saddened by the uncertainty this creates for our patients and UnitedHealthcare customers.”

Patients interested in transferring to a different health insurance plan that allows in-network coverage at Providence Hospital can make changes to their existing coverage during open enrollment, which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Any updates made during this period will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. If policyholders miss open enrollment, they may have to wait until next year’s open enrollment to make changes.

UnitedHealthcare has been involved in several high-profile contract disputes with healthcare providers including large academic health systems such as Duke and Johns Hopkins. In the past year, UAB Health System, Huntsville Hospital Health System and Infirmary Health released similar announcements about expiring contracts with UnitedHealthcare before reaching an agreement with the insurer to remain in network.

Common concerns cited by organizations during negotiations have included below-market reimbursement rates, excessive claim denials and delayed payments – tactics that create a hardship for healthcare providers already facing economic pressures.

“Our patients are our No. 1 priority,” Fox said. “We simply want the ability to continue to deliver the high-quality care and unique services for which USA Health Providence Hospital is known. Compromising patient care is not an option.”

Patients who have questions about access to coverage at Providence Hospital can call the phone number on the back of their insurance card for information about physicians and hospitals that accept UnitedHealthcare insurance.

For patients interested in moving to another health insurance plan that allows in-network coverage, plans accepted by Providence Hospital include:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama – Commercial and Medicare Advantage
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi – Blue Card
• Humana – ChoiceCare, Military Tricare – AL, Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO
• Cigna – Commercial and Cigna Healthspring – Medicare Advantage
• Aetna – Commercial and Medicare Advantage
• Viva – Health and Medicare Advantage
• Medicaid – Alabama and Mississippi
• Medicare – Alabama and Railroad
• Ambetter – Alabama and Mississippi Exchange/Marketplace plans
• Devoted Health – Medicare Advantage
• Magnolia – Mississippi Exchange Plan
• Mississippi Physician Care Network – MPCN – PPO
• Molina – Mississippi CHIP – CAN – Exchange
• Multiplan Inc – Alabama
• Trucare of Mississippi
• Wellcare of Mississippi – Medicare Advantage

UnitedHealthcare plan holders can learn more by visiting https://link.edgepilot.com/s/73ff680c/ueySVBWqLUeNi9cMJevHFw?u=http://www.usahealthsystem.com/united.

About USA Health Providence Hospital

Part of USA Health, the academic health system for the University of South Alabama – the Flagship of the Gulf Coast – Providence Hospital is a full-service 349-bed hospital providing 24/7 emergency care and a level III trauma center as well as exceptional birthing services, surgical procedures and specialty care to residents in the region.