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N.C. (WITN) – ECU Health and UnitedHealthcare have reached a new multi-year contract, restoring in-network access for more than 100,000 UnitedHealthcare-covered patients in eastern North Carolina, effective Aug. 7, 2026
ECU Health stated, “The contract covers patients with Commercial, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid UnitedHealthcare plans. It includes full in-network access to all ECU Health providers, facilities and services, reimbursement terms that better reflect the cost of care, reduced administrative burden, fewer barriers to care, and preservation of existing provider-patient relationships.”
ECU Health said the organization had gone years without meaningful increases in reimbursements from UnitedHealthcare despite rising costs associated with delivering care. The health system said its priority throughout negotiations was to protect and restore patients’ access to affordable care close to home while ensuring the organization can continue providing essential services across the region
“Throughout this process, patients and families across eastern North Carolina have been our top priority,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, CEO at ECU Health. “Meeting the mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina means ensuring the sustainability of the services we provide, particularly given the ongoing challenges rural healthcare will continue to face. This agreement ensures patients can access the care they trust at ECU Health, close to home, and allows us to move forward with UnitedHealthcare in a way that supports the long-term health of our communities.”
UnitedHealthcare said, “We are pleased to continue providing families across North Carolina with access to quality, affordable care.”
Patients with canceled or postponed appointments can reschedule with their provider on MyChart or call their provider’s office directly to resume care
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