For the past year negotiations have been continuing between United Healthcare (UHC) and the University of Vermont Health Network (UVMHN). United Healthcare’s goal has always been to reach an agreement that is affordable while avoiding any disruption to care. UVMHN has been clear that they will not move away from its ask for a 25% increase in one year. As you can imagine, this is not sustainable for members or employers. It is anticipated that UVMHN will no longer participate in our commercial network, effective March 1, 2024.
United Healthcare and the University are working on a solution which focuses on ensuring that our employees have access to the care they need through either continuity of care or a seamless transition to a new provider.
What does this mean for Clarkson employees?
- Nothing changes for now. People enrolled in UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored plans continue to have network access to UVMHN through Feb. 29, 2024.
- Please note: Effective March 1, 2024, Clarkson’s UMR United Healthcare plan will continue to process all claims as in-network services. Important items to know is that UVMHN providers will be listed as out-of-network and they will tell you that they are not in-network. Please do not panic or argue with them, UMR will process your claims as in-network when they receive them.
- Clarkson employees will continue to have access to several hospitals and more than 1,000 physicians throughout the surrounding areas impacted. Hospitals remaining in our network include but are not limited to:
- Copley Hospital (VT)
- Gifford Medical Center (VT)
- Northwestern Medical Center (VT)
- Adirondack Medical Center (NY)
- Canton Potsdam Hospital (NY)
- Claxton Hepburn Medical Center (NY)
- UnitedHealthcare members who are in the middle of treatment at a UVMHN facility or with a physician may qualify for continuity of care, which provides continued in-network benefits for a specified period of time after a hospital or physician leaves our network.
- Members who have questions about continuity of care or alternative hospitals in their area should call the number on their health plan ID card.
- Members can also use the provider directory on our member website at myuhc.com to search for alternative in-network hospitals and doctors.
- Please note: Effective March 1, 2024 UVMHN facilities will no longer show up as in-network when searching for a provider. As a reminder, Clarkson employee’s claims will be processed as in-network by UMR.
- UnitedHealthcare members should always go to the nearest hospital in the event of an emergency. Their services will be covered at the in-network benefit level, regardless of whether the hospital participates in UnitedHealthcare’s network.
Please email human resources clarksonhr@clarkson.edu with any questions.
Thank you,
Human Resources
