Insurance dispute could cause 20K NC women to look for new doctors

Between 12,000 and 20,000 patients might need to look for a new doctor after Jan. 1 if health insurer United Healthcare and a group of practices affiliated the Unified Women's Health of NC banner can't reach a contract agreement. Piecing together exactly where negotiations broke down is difficult and neither the insurer nor the practice administrators will give specifics on negotiations. United, the insurer, says Unified is seeking a 20 percent increase in reimbursements. In response, Unified claims its proposal would actually cost the patients less. If the two sides can't reach an agreement, 13 practices would be impacted for a total of 20,000 patients, of which about 12,000 have been seen by a Unified physician recently.