12/11/2007

Gateway Regional Medical Center (GRMC) and United Healthcare (UHC) reached a contract agreement that will allow UHC subscribers to receive uninterrupted healthcare services from GRMC. After negotiations were finalized, Gateway Regional Medical Center, the Edwardsville Ambulatory Surgery Center, and the physician practices remain participating providers in the United Healthcare networks.

“We recognize that it is our patients with United Healthcare insurance who ultimately benefit the most from this contract agreement,” said Damon Brown, GRMC’s interim Chief Executive Officer. “Gateway Regional Medical Center is committed to providing quality services to our community, and that will always be our main focus.”

Payments from insurers allow GRMC to serve the community: to pay nurses' salaries, buy supplies and medication, run operating rooms, provide diagnostic scans and many other procedures patients expect from a medical center. Members of the community, including local employers, contacted GRMC and UHC to express their concerns about the contract negotiations.

“I am pleased to learn that GRMC and UHC reached an agreement,” said Rosemarie Brown, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Southwestern Madison County. “GRMC provides essential services to our community and as a major employer, the payroll and taxes generated by this hospital represent a vital component of our local economy.”

For individuals who have questions or concerns regarding the GRMC and UHC agreement, Gateway Regional has a dedicated information line with staff available to offer assistance, 866-404-5804.