
Quad Citians who have worried for weeks about whether their doctor would be out of network on July 1, are breathing a sigh of relief thanks to a new three-year contract reached by UnitedHealthcare, Genesis and MercyOne.
Three days before the old deal was set to expire, the health care system and the global health benefits provider apparently resolved what both sides had said was a major sticking point in the deal: The size of the rate increases proposed during negotiations for a new contract.
This new agreement ensures continued in-network access to Genesis hospitals, doctors, and specialists for patients covered by UnitedHealthcare Commercial and MedicareAdvantage plans, Genesis said in a news release on Friday, June 28.
“Our goal always is to avoid disruptions for patients,” Jordan Voigt, president of Genesis Medical Center, Davenport and MercyOne interim Eastern Iowa Division president, said in the release issued late Friday night. “This agreement was necessary to ensure Genesis can continue delivering the high-quality, affordable care people need. With fair reimbursement, we can continue to invest in our colleagues, medical staff, innovative treatments and important health programs, protecting access to care now and in the future.”
More information available
Patients who receive health insurance coverage through UnitedHealthcare should contact UnitedHealthcare directly using the telephone number on the back of their insurance card with any questions about their coverage or benefits. More information can be found at GenesisHealth.com/UHC.
Also in the wake of the deal announced Friday, UnitedHealthcare released the following statement on its website:
“We’ve reached agreement on a new multi-year contract with MercyOne and Genesis Health that ensures people enrolled in employer-sponsored commercial plans as well as our Medicare Advantage plans have continued, uninterrupted network access to both MercyOne and Genesis Health’s hospitals, facilities and its physicians.
“We thank our members and customers for their support and patience throughout this process. We are honored to continue supporting our members throughout Iowa and Illinois who depend on us for access to quality and affordable health care,” the health system said.
Before this new deal was struck, both Genesis and MercyOne leaders and UnitedHealthCare sought the support of patients and employers in Iowa and western Illinois who are covered by UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored and commercial health care plans, Medicare Advantage (individual and Group Retiree), and Dual Special Needs Program (D-SNP) health plans.
Of the Genesis and MercyOne hospitals, facilities and physicians in the QC region, only the Genesis Medical Center in Aledo, Illinois, (whose contract is independent of other Genesis entities) would have remained in-network on July 1 if a new contract hadn’t been signed by the June 30, 2024, deadline. (MercyOne joined with the Genesis system in March.)
What’s next for patients
In the wake of the deal, Genesis also posted the following information on its website:
- Patients should continue to visit our facilities and doctors for care as normal.
- If you have moved our appointment, you can either keep it or contact your physician’s office directly to reschedule and move your appointment up sooner, as space allows.
- For questions, please call the patient information line at (563) 334-3010.
- To schedule an appointment with your provider, please contact your physician’s office directly or use the MyGenesis Patient Portal.
- For questions related to your health plan coverage or benefits, please contact UnitedHealthcare at the number on the back of your health insurance card.