We are pleased to share that ECU Health has reached a new multi-year agreement with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) for Commercial, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans effective Aug. 7, 2026.
The agreement means you will now be able to access the ECU Health providers and services you know and trust, effective Aug. 7. This means that UnitedHealthcare will once again cover your care at ECU Health at in-network rates.
Throughout this process our focus was on achieving an agreement that reflects the realities of providing care in eastern North Carolina and supports our shared responsibility to ensure patients have access to high-quality, local care for years to come.
For years, ECU Health went without meaningful increases in reimbursements from UnitedHealthcare. We successfully negotiated sustainable terms for the care we provide, and we are excited about what the agreement means for our patients and our communities. Importantly, this agreement supports:
- Full in-network access to all ECU Health providers and facilities for UnitedHealthcare members
- Reimbursement terms that better reflect the cost of care
- Reduced administrative burden / fewer barriers to care
- Preserves the relationships our providers have with patients covered by UnitedHealthcare
Please see the following which details what the agreement means depending on the type of UnitedHealthcare plan an individual is enrolled in:
For UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina (Medicaid) members:
Beginning Aug. 7, 2026, members enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina have network access to:
- ECU Health hospitals and facilities
- ECU Health Physicians (formerly Vidant Medical Group physicians/providers)
- ECU Health’s freestanding outpatient facilities, including ECU Health Endoscopy Centers and ECU Health SurgiCenter
The agreement also ensures continued network access to legacy ECU Physicians, which never went out of network.
For employer-sponsored commercial members, including Surest and UMR:
Beginning Aug. 7, 2026, UnitedHealthcare commercial members have network access to:
- ECU Health Physicians (formerly Vidant Medical Group physicians/providers)
- ECU Health’s freestanding outpatient facilities, including ASCs
UnitedHealthcare commercial members also continue to have uninterrupted network access to:
- ECU Health hospitals
- ECU Health Physicians
There was never any disruption to in-network care at ECU Health’s hospitals or with ECU Health Physicians for members enrolled in UHC’s commercial plans.
For Medicare Advantage plans, including individual, Dual Special Needs Plan (DSNP) and Group Retiree plans:
Beginning Aug. 7, 2026, UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members have network access to:
- ECU Health Physicians (formerly Vidant Medical Group physicians/providers)
- ECU Health’s freestanding outpatient facilities, including ECU Health Endoscopy Centers and ECU Health SurgiCenter
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members also continue to have uninterrupted network access to:
- ECU Health hospitals
- ECU Health Physicians
There was never any disruption to in-network care at ECU Health hospitals or ECU Health Physicians for members enrolled in UHC’s Medicare Advantage plans.
We understand this period of uncertainty may have been stressful for you and your family. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused and are here to help you get back on track with your care.
What this Means for You
- You can receive care from your providers and visit ECU Health hospitals and clinics on an in-network basis.
- If you canceled or rescheduled any appointments, you can reschedule by calling your provider’s office or messaging your provider through MyChart to resume care as you normally would.
Thank you for trusting ECU Health with your care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. As of Aug. 7, 2026, ECU Health is in network with UnitedHealthcare Commercial, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans under the new agreement.
Yes. All ECU Health facilities and providers are included under the new agreement for UnitedHealthcare Commercial, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans. Included in the agreement is expanded access to the ECU Health SurgiCenter for commercial and Medicare Advantage patients.
ECU Health and UnitedHealthcare have reached a new multi-year agreement designed to preserve access to care for UnitedHealthcare patients.
Patients who switched plans may switch back to a UnitedHealthcare plan if they choose:
- Medicaid: patients can change plans via the North Carolina Medicaid website: https://ncmedicaidplans.gov/en (Home | NC Medicaid Managed Care)
- Or call 866-534-6699 to speak to an Elevate PFS Medicaid Eligibility representative.
- Medicare Advantage: patients can elect to change plans during the next open enrollment period (Open Enrollment Period is Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2026). It is exclusively for individuals already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. During this window, you can make exactly one plan change: either switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare (with or without Part D coverage). Visit Medicare.gov.
- For commercial, employer-sponsored plans: changes are usually only allowed during your employer’s open enrollment period, unless you qualify for a special enrollment.
To understand your options, we recommend contacting your employer, a licensed insurance advisor or the number on the back of your insurance identification card.
You can once again receive in-network care at ECU Health’s hospitals and facilities, as well as ECU Health Physicians (formerly Vidant Medical Group physicians/providers), beginning Aug. 7, 2026. The agreement also restores network access to ECU Health’s outpatient facilities, including its endoscopy center and ambulatory surgical center (ASC) – ECU Health SurgiCenter, beginning Aug. 7, 2026.
The new agreement maintains continued, uninterrupted network access to legacy ECU Physicians for people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina. There was never any disruption to in-network care with ECU Health Physicians.
You can once again receive in-network care from ECU Health Physicians (formerly Vidant Medical Group physicians/providers), beginning Aug. 7, 2026. The agreement also provides network access to ECU Health’s outpatient facilities, including its endoscopy center and ambulatory surgical center (ASCs – ECU Health SurgiCenter, beginning Aug. 7, 2026. This provides seniors expanded access to quality, convenient care, through another in-network option for services such as outpatient surgeries, imaging as well as infusion and dialysis services.
The agreement maintains continued, uninterrupted network access to ECU Health’s hospitals, facilities and ECU Health Physicians for UHC’s Medicare Advantage members, including DSNP and Group Retiree. There was never any disruption to in-network care with these providers.
You can once again receive in-network care from ECU Health Physicians (formerly Vidant Medical Group physicians/providers), beginning Aug. 7, 2026. The agreement also provides network access to ECU Health’s outpatient facilities, including its ambulatory surgical center (ASCs), Aug. 7, 2026. This provides North Carolinians expanded access to quality, convenient care, giving them another in-network option for services such as outpatient surgeries, imaging as well as infusion and dialysis services.
The agreement maintains continued, uninterrupted network access to ECU Health’s hospitals and ECU Health Physicians for people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored commercial plans, including Surest and UMR. There was never any disruption to in-network care with these providers.
Yes. ECU Health’s freestanding outpatient facilities, including its endoscopy centers and ambulatory surgical center (ASC) – ECU Health SurgiCenter, have also been added to the Medicare Advantage and commercial networks, as of Aug. 7, 2026. This provides expanded access to quality, convenient care, giving patients another in-network option for services such as outpatient surgeries, imaging as well as infusion and dialysis services.
Please call the number on your health plan ID card.