The North Mississippi Health Services, which operates the North Mississippi Medical Center, and UnitedHealthcare have settled their dispute regarding hospital reimbursements and have renewed their in-network partnership for another three years.
Had the issue not been resolved, it would have had detrimental impacts on healthcare throughout north Mississippi.
Related: Medicaid, insurance woes could impact thousands in Mississippi
UnitedHealthcare will also continue to be part of the state’s MississippiCAN managed healthcare and CHIP Medicaid programs. The insurance provider will not interrupt service for patients and all disputes have been resolved.
North Mississippi Health Services President and CEO M. Shane Spees said it was nice to put the disagreement between the companies to a rest.
“The silver lining of our dispute is that each of us has learned much about the other’s organization through the experience, all of which has led to a strengthened relationship between our organizations and a clear, common objective going forward–to ensure access to care of the highest quality and efficiency.”
NMHS serves over 730,000 patients in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee while being headquartered in Tupelo. There are 135 locations with over 50 specialty services, including cardiology, cancer treatment, neonatology, neurosurgery, pulmonology, physical rehabilitation, chemical dependency and other specialties.
Joe Ochipinti is the CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s commercial plan in Mississippi and acknowledges the services NMSH provides to the state.
“North Mississippi Health Services is an important part of the community,” said Ochipinti. “I appreciate that our two organizations were able to come together and reach a solution that will maintain our long-standing relationship and keep our focus on supporting the health care needs of the patients we collectively serve.”
