Mon Mar 24 16:00:00 UTC 2025: ## OHSU and UnitedHealthcare Near Deal to Avoid Healthcare Disruption for 74,000 Oregonians

**PORTLAND, OR** – Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and UnitedHealthcare are close to finalizing a new contract, averting a potential crisis for nearly 74,000 Oregonians insured by United. The existing contract expires on March 31st, and failure to reach an agreement would have left OHSU doctors out-of-network for United members starting April 1st.

This would have resulted in significantly higher out-of-pocket costs for patients, and potentially forced them to leave OHSU mid-treatment and find alternative care within United’s network. Securing appointments, especially with specialists, could have taken months.

While both OHSU and UnitedHealthcare declined to comment directly, a statement released Friday evening by OHSU indicated that a “good-faith agreement” had been reached, and negotiations are ongoing to finalize the contract before the deadline.

The dispute centers around reimbursement rates for medical services. OHSU alleges UnitedHealthcare denies over 56% of claims (compared to an industry standard of 5-10%), and that claim resolution takes an average of 307 days. UnitedHealthcare, however, claims OHSU’s proposed contract includes unreasonable price increases, citing examples such as a $9,000 increase for C-sections, $3,000 for outpatient surgeries, and $1,100 for ER visits. OHSU has stated they have not yet reviewed the specifics of these cost claims.

Becky Hultberg, president and CEO of the Hospital Association of Oregon, highlighted a broader trend of increasing friction between insurers and healthcare providers, emphasizing that hospitals are not being adequately compensated for patient care. She noted that this issue affects all Oregonians, as unsustainable financial pressures on hospitals could compromise the healthcare system as a whole. The negotiations continue, with a resolution expected before April 1st.

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