Myths vs. facts
Fact: False. OU Health sent us notice last year terminating our contract at its conclusion on May 1. At that time, OU Health also demanded an egregious 40% rate increase as a condition to continue the relationship.
Fact: False. Contrary to what OU Health has indicated to media, around 12,000 of UnitedHealthcare’s members, or 2% of our total membership in Oklahoma, have visited OU Health’s facilities in Oklahoma City and its surrounding areas in the past 12 months. We remain committed to working with OU Health and are hopeful we can reach a resolution that restores network access to its hospitals and facilities. Meanwhile, we want to reassure our members that they continue to have access to a robust network of care providers throughout Oklahoma City and surrounding areas.
Fact: False. This is a facility-only termination and does not affect our contract with OU Health’s physicians. All of OU Health’s physicians remain in our network at this time. If this were to change, we would communicate in advance to physicians to ensure a smooth transition for our members.
Fact: False. UnitedHealthcare has promptly processed all submitted continuity of care requests in a timeframe that is fully compliant with regulatory requirements. We will ensure that all members who were granted continuity of care will be fully supported throughout their approved medical procedure. UnitedHealthcare follows all local, state and federal laws to ensure our members can receive the care they need.
Fact: False. OU Health has never shown a willingness to take any decrease in its rates for existing customers, although it’s already the most expensive health system in Oklahoma and the most expensive academic medical institution within a 500-mile radius.
Fact: False. UnitedHealthcare has promptly responded to each of OU Health’s proposals with our own counter proposals, all of which were designed to create access to affordable and quality care for our members. OU Health hasn’t responded to UnitedHealthcare’s current proposal, which was submitted in April.
Fact: False. OU Health’s hospitals are already more expensive than all other Oklahoma hospitals, and the system is the most expensive academic medical institution within a 500-mile radius. Agreeing to OU Health’s rate demands would make it 34% more costly than other hospitals in Oklahoma City. OU Health believes it is entitled to be paid significantly more than its peers and top providers, despite receiving only a one-star rating for quality of care by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Fact: False. Health care costs continue to be a top concern for consumers and employers, and they’re relying on us to help make health care more affordable for them. That’s especially true today, as businesses throughout Oklahoma struggle to keep their doors open and attract and retain the employees they need. It’s more critical now than ever that we ensure they have access to affordable health care.
OU Health’s price hike demands would increase premiums and out-of-pocket costs for our members as well as the cost of doing business for companies that simply want to offer affordable health care coverage for their employees. OU Health’s proposal would directly drive up health care costs for our self-insured customers, given that these employers pay the cost of their employees’ medical bills themselves rather than relying on UnitedHealthcare to pay those claims. In Oklahoma, more than 71% of our members are enrolled in self-insured plans.