Bristol Hospital Leaves United HealthCare Network

The following is a message from Human Resources Development (HRD).

The University of Hartford has been informed that over the course of the last month, United HealthCare and Bristol Hospital have been in contract negotiations relative to Bristol Hospital’s standing as a participating provider within the United HealthCare network.  Despite good faith efforts to negotiate a new contract, Bristol Hospital will no longer be a participating network hospital with United HealthCare.  The contract terminated on March 15, 2009.

In measuring the impact of this network termination, the University has been able to gather information that points to fewer than 10 University participants (employees and/or dependents) who have utilized Bristol Hospital over the course of the last 12 months.  Thus, the impact to the University population as a whole is minimal.  United HealthCare will be providing impacted participants with information relative to this termination as well as any issues tied to transition of care services that may be pending at Bristol Hospital.

Please be reminded that United HealthCare continues to have major hospitals in the area that remain in their network, including Hartford Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, the Hospital of Central Connecticut, Saint Mary’s Hospital and UCONN Health Center-John Dempsey Hospital.

It is our hope that both parties will continue in their efforts to negotiate a viable resolution.  We will continue to update the University population to any changes that may arise in terms of this matter.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Chris Monroe, partner at Savino, Sturrock and Sullivan (the University’s benefits broker), at 860.289.4418 or cmonroe@sss-ct.com.