Regarding ongoing contract negotiations with UnitedHealthcare, Conway Regional Health System has released the following statement:
“There comes a point when you owe your community a clear and honest update.
In January 2026, we provided UnitedHealthcare with formal notice about our commercial contract before the February 15 deadline. This is a standard step in the contract process, allowing time to work toward a new agreement before the August 15 contract deadline.
Since that time, we have made every effort to reach a fair agreement that reflects the cost of providing care in our region.
At our first meeting, we presented a proposal based on what other providers in our market are paid, using UnitedHealthcare’s own publicly reported data. Since then, there have been three meetings and one cancellation.
Not only has UnitedHealthcare indicated reluctance to move toward market rates, but they have also suggested that Conway Regional consider a reduction in reimbursement.
That is not a sustainable path for a community health system.
This is not just about a contract. It is about what it takes to keep care close to home. That means supporting our providers, nurses, and team members. It also means maintaining access to services and continuing to invest in the care our community depends on.
Conway Regional has come to the table in good faith, ready to have real conversations and reach a fair outcome. So far, we have not seen that same level of engagement.
Families should not have to worry about whether their local hospital will be treated fairly by their insurance provider. Employers should not be paying higher premiums while the local hospital is asked to accept less.
The people of Arkansas understand fairness. You sit down, make a good-faith offer, and respond honestly.
We want to be clear about what this could mean.
If progress is not made, Conway Regional could be forced out of network with UnitedHealthcare as early as August 15. If an agreement is not reached by June 1, we will begin notifying patients, so they have time to plan.
We want Arkansas families to know that we are doing everything we can to avoid that outcome. We remain ready to reach a fair agreement.
We do not have teams of analysts and negotiators dedicated solely to this process, like our billion-dollar counterparts. We have hospital leaders, many of whom grew up right here in Arkansas, working to protect access to care for the communities we serve. We are doing this on an uneven playing field.
Conway Regional believes our community deserves to understand what is happening, especially when delays and requests for lower payments could impact access to care. Our responsibility is to be honest with our patients and caregivers, to ensure the long-term strength of healthcare in this community.”
For more information about Conway Regional, click here.
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