United Healthcare Contract Termination
Sometimes it takes a while to end an abusive relationship. I feel like I’m finally able to do this with United Healthcare. As of March 31, 2025, I will no longer be an in-network provider with UHC.
The for-profit health insurance system in the United States has long prioritized corporate earnings over accessible, high-quality care. One of the most glaring examples of this is United Healthcare (UHC)—the largest health insurer in the country—whose business practices have increasingly driven providers away from their network. Recently, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) announced it would be dropping United Healthcare due to unsustainably low reimbursement rates. Now, smaller independent providers are following suit.
The Problem with United Healthcare
UHC has a long history of low reimbursements, delayed payments, and restrictive billing policies that make it increasingly difficult for healthcare providers—especially small clinics and solo practitioners—to stay in-network while maintaining financial viability. For many, the math simply doesn’t add up:
Low Reimbursement Rates – UHC pays some of the lowest rates in the industry, often failing to cover the cost of operating the clinic itself, much less providing any kind of living wage for providers. Many providers find that they lose money on every UHC-covered visit.
Delays and Denials – UHC frequently delays payments or denies claims outright, forcing providers to spend significant time and resources appealing denials rather than focusing on patient care.
Restrictive Policies on Non-Covered Services – As of February 1, 2025, UHC has implemented a new policy limiting how providers can bill for services that UHC does not cover. For acupuncture, this policy effectively forces patients to pay more out-of-pocket ($75-$100+) than you would if they simply paid the our standard cash rate (currently $85).
Profit Over Patients – In 2023, UnitedHealth Group, UHC’s parent company, reported over $22 billion in profits while continuing to underpay healthcare providers and restrict patient access to necessary treatments.
These practices have created a system where both patients and providers suffer while UnitedHealth’s shareholders continue to see record earnings.
Why More Providers Are Dropping UHC
The recent decision by OHSU to drop United Healthcare highlights how even large medical institutions are unwilling to tolerate UHC’s payment practices. For independent providers, the impact is even more severe. Many small practices are now opting to go out-of-network, a decision that, ironically, can end up saving patients money in the long run.
For example, under the new UHC policy, if a provider bills for a non-covered service separately, a UHC patient might end up paying more than the provider’s standard cash rate. This means that paying out-of-pocket and submitting a superbill for possible reimbursement is often the more cost-effective option for members of UHC plans.
The Bigger Picture: The For-Profit Insurance Model is Broken
UHC’s actions are not isolated—they are a symptom of a much larger problem within the for-profit health insurance industry. The incentives of private insurance companies are fundamentally misaligned with patient care. Their goal is not to provide the best possible healthcare but to maximize shareholder value. This is why they:
Deny claims and delay payments to providers.
Shift more costs onto patients through high deductibles and copays.
Maintain complex, opaque billing rules that make it difficult for providers and patients to navigate coverage.
Drive independent practitioners out of business, consolidating healthcare under large corporate entities that negotiate lower reimbursement rates.
The result? Patients pay more for worse care, and providers are forced into moral and financial dilemmas where they must choose between staying in-network or maintaining a sustainable practice.
What Can Patients Do?
If you have UHC coverage and are frustrated by these changes, here are a few steps you can take:
Advocate for Change – Call UHC and express your concerns about low reimbursement rates and provider departures. Ask your employer to choose a different insurer for your health insurance.
Consider Out-of-Network Care – Many providers offer affordable cash rates and will provide super bills so you can seek reimbursement for services. It is important to note that UHC will only reimburse you for the services in the same way they would reimburse me, which is quite low—you may be surprised to receive a $10 check for an hour-long acupuncture visit.
Push for Policy Reform – The U.S. insurance system is failing both patients and providers. Support legislative efforts aimed at regulating private insurers and expanding public healthcare options.
Final Thoughts
United Healthcare’s ongoing push for profit at the expense of both patients and providers is unsustainable. As more providers—big and small—refuse to accept these exploitative practices, patients will need to rethink how they access care. While navigating out-of-network care can be challenging, it may ultimately offer better, more affordable, and more ethical healthcare options than remaining within UHC’s restrictive network.
If you are a UHC patient affected by these changes, reach out to me to discuss options.