Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is happening between my digestive health provider, US Digestive Health (USDH) and United Healthcare?
US Digestive Health (USDH) negotiated with United Healthcare for a new contract that adequately covers the care we provide patients with United Healthcare employer-sponsored, Exchange, Medicaid plans, and Medicare Advantage health plans. In order to initiate negotiations of a new contract, we were required to terminate our current contract.
As part of doing business, we regularly evaluate and negotiate contracts with our health insurance partners. Over time the rates United Healthcare pays us for the care we deliver to its members, including you, has covered less and less of the cost of delivering that care. By accepting the low rates United Healthcare is demanding, our ability to maintain the same standard of care you deserve would be jeopardized, which is why we initiated negotiations for a new contract. We are only asking United Healthcare for what we need in order to continue fulfilling our commitment to our patients and communities for years to come.
Our current contract expired on September 30, 2022.
As of October 1, 2022, our providers were forced out of United Healthcare’s network. Without a new agreement with United Healthcare, patients with UHC health plans may have to pay more in out-of-pocket costs when seeking care with us effective October 1, 2022.
Patients should call their doctor’s office to discuss their options. Since an agreement was not reached before our contract expired, you may have to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for care with our affiliated practices effective October 1, 2022.
Certain patients, including those who are hospitalized, pregnant, or undergoing an active course of treatment, may still qualify for Continuation of Care through United Healthcare. Call UHC at the phone number on the back of your health insurance card to see if you qualify and apply.
Call United Healthcare at the phone number on the back of your health insurance card. Let them know what it means to have in-network access to convenient, high-quality digestive health care you know and trust.
Apply for Continuation of Care. Certain patients, including those who are hospitalized, pregnant, or undergoing an active course of treatment, may still qualify for Continuation of Care through United Healthcare. If you think you may qualify, call the phone number on the back of your UHC health insurance card to ask about protecting your in-network access to our care.
We will continue to keep patients informed of any progress in the negotiations through this website. If you have questions about network access or your benefits, please call United Healthcare at 877-842-3210.
What are the negotiations about?
As part of doing business, we regularly evaluate and negotiate contracts with our health insurance partners. Over time the rates United Healthcare pays us for the care we deliver to its members, including you, has covered less and less of the cost of delivering that care. By accepting the low rates United Healthcare is demanding, our ability to maintain the same standard of care you deserve would be jeopardized, which is why we initiated negotiations for a new contract. We are only asking United Healthcare for what we need in order to continue fulfilling our commitment to our patients and communities for years to come.
When does the current agreement with United Healthcare end?
Our current contract expired on September 30, 2022.
Which health plans are affected by this negotiation?
All United Healthcare employer-sponsored, exchange, Medicaid plans, and Medicare Advantage health plans are impacted by this negotiation.
Which US Digestive Health-affiliated providers are impacted by the negotiations?
The following USDH-affiliated providers are impacted by the negotiations:
- Regional GI (RGI)
- Digestive Disease Associates (DDA)
- Main Line Gastroenterology Associates (MLGA)
- Carlisle Digestive Disease Associates (CDDA)
- USDH at Royersford
- West Chester GI (WCGI)
- The Center for GI Health (CGI)
- Hillmont GI (HGI)
- GI Specialists (GIS)
- Southwest GI (SWGI)
Is my doctor impacted by the negotiations?
Yes, all RGI, DDA, MLGA, CCDA, USDH at Royersford, WCGI, CGI, HGI, GIS, and SWGI doctors are impacted by the negotiations.
I have a United Healthcare health plan. What does this mean for me?
As of October 1, 2022, our providers were forced out of United Healthcare’s network. Without a new agreement with United Healthcare, patients with UHC health plans may have to pay more in out-of-pocket costs when seeking care with us effective October 1, 2022.
What if I have an appointment or elective procedure scheduled on or after October 1, 2022?
Patients should call their doctor’s office to discuss their options. You may have to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for care with our affiliated practices effective October 1, 2022.
What if I am pregnant or receiving treatment for a special condition on or after October 1, 2022?
Certain patients, including those who are hospitalized, pregnant, or undergoing an active course of treatment prior to the contract end date, may still qualify for Continuation of Care through United Healthcare. Call UHC at the phone number on the back of your health insurance card to see if you qualify and apply.
What can I do to protect my in-network access to my US Digestive Health doctor?
Call United Healthcare at the phone number on the back of your health insurance card. Let them know what it means to have in-network access to convenient, high-quality digestive health care you know and trust.
Apply for Continuation of Care. Certain patients, including those who are hospitalized, pregnant, or undergoing an active course of treatment, may still qualify for Continuation of Care through United Healthcare. If you think you may qualify, call the phone number on the back of your UHC health insurance card to ask about protecting your in-network access to our care.
Do you still accept my insurance if I’m covered by another carrier?
We are a participating provider with many other plans. You can see a full list of accepted health insurance plans here.
How can I stay up to date on the negotiations?
We will continue to keep patients informed of any progress in the negotiations through this website. If you have questions about network access or your benefits, please call United Healthcare at 877-842-3210.
