Governor Perdue Announces Signing of Health Care Contracts

UnitedHealthcare Inks Deals with Major Southwest Georgia Health Care Provider

ATLANTA – Today Governor Sonny Perdue announced that UnitedHealthcare and Phoebe Health Partners (PHP) have signed contracts to include approximately 300 physicians from Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Phoebe Worth Medical Center and Southwest Georgia Regional Medical Center in the State Health Benefit Plan. PHP’s hospitals and doctors will provide health care services to state employees, retirees and teachers starting January 1, 2006.

“The state of Georgia is committed to providing quality health care and a comprehensive, robust network for our teachers, state employees and retirees when United assumes responsibility next year,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Although there is still work to be done, I believe these contracts illustrate the significant progress United has made since November to fulfill its obligation to members of the State Health Benefit Plan.”

On November 17, 2005 Governor Perdue sent a letter to UnitedHealthcare insisting on the addition of three provisions in the contract, addressing the primary sticking points between United, doctors and hospitals. The stalemate in contract negotiations between United and PHP was resolved following Governor Perdue’s action.

The addition of PHP to the United provider network comes less than one week after the signing of Hamilton Medical Center and Murray Medical Center in Northwest Georgia.

Including the signed contracts, United has 141 hospitals and more than 12,700 doctors in its statewide network. United is in negotiations with more hospitals and continues recruitment statewide for more physicians.