What's happening?

UnitedHealthcare may terminate our agreements that cover the care their members receive from Pediatrix and Obstetrix.

While contract negotiations are a normal part of conducting business, UnitedHealthcare is forcing this situation when they decided to terminate our anesthesia agreements without discussion. We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with UnitedHealthcare, which is why the unwarranted termination notices came to us as a surprise.

Our goal to continue providing specialized care to you, our patients, for years to come remains unchanged. However, UnitedHealthcare continues to demand egregious and unsustainable rates. We need UnitedHealthcare to join us in our commitment to a fair and reasonable agreement that puts patient care first and maintains our in-network status.

Impacted Provider Groups

Pediatrix of Arkansas

Effective September 1, 2020

Pediatrix of Georgia

Effective September 1, 2020

Neo Associates of Atlanta

Effective September 1, 2020

Obstetrix of Atlanta

Effective September 1, 2020

MAG of GA

Effective September 1, 2020

Pediatrix of North Carolina

Effective September 1, 2020

American Anesthesiology in South Carolina

Effective November 15, 2020

 

The following hospitals could be impacted:

Baptist Medical Center

Alpharetta Office MFM

Athens MFM Clinic

Beverly Knight Olson Childrens Hospital

Cartersville OBGYN Associates

Childrens at Scottish Rite

Coliseum Medical Center

Conyers MFM

Decatur Atlanta MFM

Dekalb Medical Center

Douglasville MFM office

Eastside Medical Center

Emory Johns Creek Hospital

Fayetteville Atlanta MFM

Floyd Medical Center

Gwinnett Office MFM

Houston Medical Center

Lilburn-Atlanta MFM

Maternal Fetal Kennestone Clinic

Medical Center Navicent Health

Memorial University Medical Center

MFDC Cobb Clinic

North Fulton Regional Hospital

Northside Forsyth Hospital

Northside Hospital

Northside Hospital Cherokee

Northside Hospital Gwinnett

Northside Office MFM

Northside Office NWS

Northside Womens Specialists

Piedmont Athens Regional

Piedmont Fayette Hospital

Piedmont Henry Hospital

Piedmont Hosptial

Piedmont Newnan Hospital

Piedmont Newton Hospital

Rockdale Medical Center

Southern Regional Medical Center

St Marys Hospital Athens

Tanner Medical Center - Carrollton

Tanner Medical Center Villa Rica

Tift Regional Medical Center

University Hospital GA

WellStar Atlanta Medical Center

WellStar Cobb Hospital

WellStar Douglas Hospital

WellStar Kennestone Hospital

WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital

WellStar West Georgia Medical Center

Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center

Novant Health Matthews Medical Center

Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center

Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center

Caromont Regional Medical Center

Alamance Regional Medical Center

Moses Cone Physicians Services Inc

Women’s and Children’s Center at Moses Cone Campus

Women’s Hospital Greensboro

Loris Community Hospital

Mcleod Health Cheraw

Mcleod Regional Medical Center

Mcleod Seacoast Hospital

Outpatient Surgery Center East

What should you do?

Contact UnitedHealthcare using the phone number listed on the back of your health insurance card today. Tell them what it means to you to have the in-network access you need and deserve.

Speak with your HR or benefits manager at work. Ask them about offering a secondary option that will protect your in-network access.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have enjoyed a long-standing, greater than 20-year relationship with UnitedHealthcare and are even collaborating for improved access to the quality care our providers deliver. UnitedHealthcare unilaterally forced this situation with a surprise termination notice of our Anesthesia providers. We were shocked when, without any discussion, they terminated our contract and demanded we accept outrageous and unsustainable rate cuts.  We have learned that UnitedHealthcare is doing this across the US to many physicians and groups of physicians that have previously been in-network with UnitedHealthcare. 

We are committed to working toward a new agreement with fair terms that enable us to remain in-network with UnitedHealthcare. Our goal is to both reestablish and increase in-network access to our top-quality services and care that our clinicians deliver every day, not reduce it. UnitedHealthcare's actions threaten the care on which our patients and our hospital partners depend.

These negotiations directly impact all patients with UnitedHealthcare health plans. If we do not reach an agreement and remain or go out-of-network, UnitedHealthcare members may have to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for care from our physicians.

Anesthesiology, Neonatology, Maternal Fetal Medicine/Perinatology, OB Hospitalists, Newborn Hearing Screens, Neonatology and Pediatric Hospitalist, and Neonatology and Pediatric Intensivist

You may have to pay higher out-of-pocket costs when receiving care from our providers. This will be a decision made by UnitedHealthcare, not our practices.

Yes, we have agreements in place with several local and national networks that may include United members when they receive care from providers who are not directly contracted with UnitedHealthcare, including Multiplan and First Health.

Additionally, we urge you to contact your employer’s benefits manager or UnitedHealthcare directly. Ask them about all your available coverage options to ensure that the medical care we provide to you or your family members will not create any additional financial responsibility for you.

All plans UnitedHealthcare offers for the practices that are out of network are affected.

Pediatrix of Arkansas - Effective September 1, 2020

Pediatrix of Georgia - Effective September 1, 2020

Neo Associates of Atlanta - Effective September 1, 2020

Obstetrix of Atlanta - Effective September 1, 2020

MAG of GA - Effective September 1, 2020

Pediatrix of North Carolina - Effective September 1, 2020

Yes, you can see your doctor. If you require care from an American Anesthesiology, Pediatrix, or Obstetrix provider, you may have higher out-of-pocket costs for care.  This will be determined by UnitedHealthcare, not our practices.
If you have received prior authorization from your surgeon and your hospital is in-network with United, you can submit an appeal that requests United change the way that your specific claim will be processed so that you can be covered as in-network during your surgery or medically necessary procedure.
Yes, although you may pay higher costs for care provided by our providers. Again, this will be determined by UnitedHealthcare, not our practices. If you have a medical emergency, please go straight to the nearest emergency room. For more information, patients can call our dedicated patient information line at 888-204-2232.  
We are a participating provider with the following plans:
  • Aetna
  • BCBS of North Carolina
  • CIGNA
  • MEDCOST
  • Primary Physicians Care
You can always get the most up-to-date information by calling our dedicated patient information line at 888-204-2232 or check our website: mednax.com/fight.