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Top 4 ecu health News Today

#1
ECU Health physicians now out of network with UnitedHealthcare
#1 out of 40.00%
health4h ago

ECU Health physicians now out of network with UnitedHealthcare

  • ECU Health physicians and facilities are now out of network with UnitedHealthcare after the deadline passed.
  • Medicaid patients across ECU Health providers face out-of-network status, with some exceptions for legacy ECUP.
  • Emergency care will be billed at in-network rates regardless of the negotiations.
  • UHC accuses ECU Health of seeking a near 60 percent price hike in negotiations.
  • Residents report difficulty finding new doctors and navigating provider changes in eastern North Carolina.
  • ECU Health published that Medicaid patients may be affected across all ECU Health providers, hospitals, clinics, and facilities.
  • The dispute centers on proposed reimbursement terms between ECU Health and UnitedHealthcare.
  • ECU Health said the change applies to Medicaid patients across providers, except legacy ECUP.
  • ECU Health emphasized the need to protect access to care in rural communities amid the dispute.
  • Authorities noted the situation may force patients to change providers or doctors due to coverage changes.
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#2
Waldrum warns “one-size-fits-all” health policy could harm rural patients and providers
#2 out of 4
health1d ago

Waldrum warns “one-size-fits-all” health policy could harm rural patients and providers

  • Waldrum warned that a one-size-fits-all health policy could harm rural patients and providers.
  • He testified before the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means to address rising costs and access in rural areas.
  • Waldrum described a 'hub-and-spoke' model where ECU Health supports eight hospitals and 1,200 providers.
  • Waldrum noted eastern North Carolina ranks among the poorest and least healthy regions in the country.
  • He argued that nonprofits like ECU Health act as a safety net when profit-driven systems exit rural markets.
  • He called for policies that support rural providers and reduce care access strain.
  • The testimony followed ongoing concerns about hospital closures and industry consolidation in rural areas.
  • Waldrum emphasized long-term solutions require cooperation with federal policymakers.
  • ECU Health serves more than 1.4 million people across a 29-county region.
  • Waldrum called access to affordable, high-quality care not dependent on residence.
  • The hearing occurred amid broader debates over rural health policy and funding.
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#3
ECU Health CEO Dr. Michael Waldrum testifies before U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means on rural health care access, affordability
#3 out of 4
health1d ago

ECU Health CEO Dr. Michael Waldrum testifies before U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means on rural health care access, affordability

  • Waldrum pressed for targeted policy solutions to address rural health care access and affordability before the U.S. House Committee.
  • He described ECU Health as a nonprofit system serving 1.4 million people across 29 eastern North Carolina counties.
  • He described a regional hub-and-spoke model to sustain access in rural communities.
  • Waldrum warned that profit-driven systems exiting rural markets leave safety nets to nonprofit providers.
  • He urged Congress to design approaches that consider the needs of rural residents and avoid disadvantaging them.
  • Waldrum emphasized ongoing pressures like older, sicker patient populations and workforce shortages.
  • He noted that if eastern North Carolina were its own state, it would rank among the poorest and sickest in the nation.
  • He highlighted ECU Health's mission-driven work and challenges faced by rural safety-net providers.
  • He called on policymakers to support rural safety nets to preserve access and lower costs.
  • Waldrum urged solutions that strengthen access and affordability for rural communities.
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#4
Hospital CEOs defend charging patients more at facilities
#4 out of 4
health1d ago

Hospital CEOs defend charging patients more at facilities

  • Hospital CEOs push back at the House hearing, defending higher prices at outpatient facilities.
  • CEOs say facility fees help cover staff, equipment and other care costs at hospital outpatient centers.
  • Republicans pressed executives with examples of a facility fee of 1,222 dollars vs 656 dollars at an independent center.
  • Democrats argued the hearing may serve as a distraction from Medicaid cuts.
  • Republicans cited state examples of higher outpatient charges at hospital-owned clinics.
  • CEOs emphasized they operate under a obligation to treat patients regardless of ability to pay.
  • Hospitals contend outpatient facility fees are tied to cost structures and patient mix.
  • The hearing involved executives from HCA Healthcare, CommonSpirit Health, New York-Presbyterian and ECU Health.
  • Hospitals accounted for about one-third of U.S. health care spending in 2024, roughly $1.6 trillion.
  • The discussion also referenced studies on pricing gaps between hospital and independent clinics.
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