RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — UNC Health introduced it has signed a brand new, long-term settlement with UnitedHealthcare.

The well being system says their multi-year deal will permit UnitedHealthcare members throughout the state to proceed receiving uninterrupted care from UNC Health suppliers, clinics and hospitals.

The present contract was scheduled to run out April 1. Not reaching a deal would have left 1000’s of sufferers in a state of affairs the place their care suppliers have been all of the sudden out of community, forcing them to both pay these out-of-pocket prices or search new care suppliers.

The new deal covers all United business, Individual Exchange and Medicare Advantage plans.

“This new agreement will benefit our patients across the state as well as our providers,” mentioned Dr. Matt Ewend, Chief Clinical Officer at UNC Health. “Our patients will not face increased costs and stress of going out of network or seeking new providers for their care. We look forward to working with United in the coming years to improve access, reduce costs and eliminate obstacles to care.”

UNC Health mentioned it would talk with affected sufferers as shortly as potential to make sure they’re conscious of the brand new settlement with United and that care with their UNC Health suppliers won’t change.

Negotiations between the 2 organizations started final yr.

The new settlement with UnitedHealthcare follows UNC Health’s latest announcement of a long-term contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.