State of Georgia and United Health Care Systems Reach Agreement on the State Health Benefit Plan

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that United Health Care Systems has agreed to include three provisions in its contract that were the primary sticking points between United and doctors and hospitals.

“We’ve been closely observing negotiations between United and healthcare providers and it became clear that hospitals and physicians were not being heard,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Today we made it clear the state was willing to move in another direction if the company could not address the needs of the marketplace immediately. Our primary interest has always been providing quality healthcare and a comprehensive, adequate network for our teachers, state employees and retirees.”

United agreed to the following three provisions that will provide a comprehensive provider network for teachers and state employees:

• Participating physicians must be given the opportunity to opt-out of any other United products, provided however, that they agree to participate in all SHBP options.
• United must ensure that participating physicians are given the opportunity to opt-out of any additional United network.
• Participating physicians must be given notice and the clear methodology regarding the calculation of the applicable fee reimbursement schedule at the time they enter into any agreement with United or agree to participate in any additional United product or network.