Important Update for Patients with UnitedHealthcare

NEA Baptist Memorial is negotiating with UnitedHealthcare to secure a new, fair-minded agreement. To date, UnitedHealthcare has not matched our urgency to find a resolution that keeps your care intact. Please know that we are doing everything we can to keep NEA Baptist Memorial accessible, even offering an extension to remain in-network longer. UnitedHealthcare declined our offer. As a result, we expect our hospital, physician offices, urgent care centers and providers will be considered out of network with UnitedHealthcare on November 15. This forces higher costs onto patients, and we don’t think that’s right.

UnitedHealthcare is the nation’s largest and most profitable health insurer. Unfortunately, our existing business relationship is unsustainable. UnitedHealthcare strains our resources with ongoing underpayments and added cost burden of having to fight for the care we know patients deserve. We are seeking a fairer agreement that preserves our ability to deliver exceptional care to Northeast Arkansas.

Effective November 15, 2025, NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital, NEA Baptist Clinic offices, urgent care centers and physicians will be considered out of network with UnitedHealthcare, and affected patients may face increased costs for care at NEA Baptist Memorial with the exception of emergency care. Even after November 15, patients with UnitedHealthcare insurance will still be able to access NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital’s emergency department at in-network benefit levels. VA, Medicaid, and Medicare Supplemental plans are not affected.

Our negotiations only affect those with a commercial (employer-sponsored) or Medicare Advantage plan through UnitedHealthcare. If we are forced out of network, those affected may experience increased costs when seeking care at NEA Baptist Memorial because UnitedHealthcare will no longer cover your care. Please note: Patients with UnitedHealthcare insurance will still be able to access NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital’s emergency department at in-network benefit levels, even after our contract expires on November 15.

Some patients, including those who are pregnant or are in active treatment for a chronic condition, may be eligible for extended in-network access to NEA Baptist Memorial through UnitedHealthcare’s continuity of care program. Patients must contact UnitedHealthcare to determine eligibility. NEA Baptist cannot qualify patients.

Some patients, including those who are pregnant or are in active treatment for a chronic condition, may be eligible for extended in-network access to NEA Baptist Memorial through UnitedHealthcare’s continuity of care program. This extended coverage is available for a designated period of time as determined by UnitedHealthcare. Patients must contact UnitedHealthcare at the number on the back of your health insurance card to determine eligibility. NEA Baptist cannot qualify patients.

Our negotiations only affect those with a commercial (employer-sponsored) or Medicare Advantage plan through UnitedHealthcare. The VA, Medicaid, and Medicare Supplemental plans are not affected.

All NEA Baptist Memorial hospitals, facilities, urgent care centers, clinics, and providers are affected by these negotiations.

• Call UnitedHealthcare: Using the number on the back of your insurance card, let UnitedHealthcare know how vital it is to have in-network access to your trusted NEA Baptist Memorial providers.
• Apply for continuity of care: Some patients, including those who are pregnant or are in active treatment for a chronic condition, may be eligible for extended in-network access to NEA Baptist Memorial through UnitedHealthcare’s continuity of care program. Patients must contact UnitedHealthcare to determine eligibility. NEA Baptist cannot qualify patients.
• Medicare-eligibles can find new coverage: Medicare’s open enrollment period is happening now through December 7. Find a plan that guarantees in-network access to NEA Baptist Memorial next year, regardless of our status with UnitedHealthcare by visiting baptistonline.org/medicarecompare or calling  866-279-0696.
• Talk to your employer: If you have insurance through work, let your HR or benefits manager know you want a plan that includes access to NEA Baptist Memorial. Employers often review benefit options in advance of open enrollment, so it’s important they know this matters to you.
• Stay informed: Visit baptistonline.org/neauhc if you have questions about our negotiations or want to know the status of our relationship with UnitedHealthcare.

Coverage for 2026 that will guarantee in-network access to our hospital, facilities, and providers is found at https://www.baptistonline.org/locations/nea/insurance.

If you are admitted to the hospital before November 15, 2025, your stay will be covered at in-network benefit levels through the end of that inpatient admission.

Reach out to UnitedHealthcare: Using the number on the back of your insurance card, let UnitedHealthcare know how vital it is to have in-network access to your trusted providers at NEA Baptist Memorial and how vital access to local care is for you and your family.

If you have health insurance through your work, let your HR or benefits manager know that you want in-network access to NEA Baptist Memorial.

If you have a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another plan that includes NEA Baptist Memorial in its network during Medicare’s open enrollment period, which lasts from October 15-December 7, 2025.

Emergency care is always covered at in-network benefit levels. If you or a loved one experiences a medical emergency, please go to the nearest emergency room.

Visit BaptistOnline.org/neauhc for the most current information about the status of our relationship with UnitedHealthcare, or call (870) 394-9299.