Negotiations with UnitedHealthcare
WakeMed and UnitedHealthcare Reach New Commercial Agreement
Following months of very complex negotiations, we are pleased to announce that WakeMed and UnitedHealthcare have signed a new, multi-year contract for employer-sponsored commercial plans, effective October 15, 2026.
This new contract restores in-network access to all WakeMed hospitals (acute and rehabilitation) and healthplexes, specialty physicians and Home Health services for members of UnitedHealthcare’s commercial plans. WakeMed Primary Care providers, ambulatory surgery centers and PET Imaging facility have remained in network throughout these negotiations.
Effective October 15, WakeMed will resume scheduling and providing services on an in-network basis, to UnitedHealthcare commercial members. WakeMed remains out of network for Medicare Advantage plans.
We know the past eleven months have been incredibly challenging for you – our valued patients. We are confident that the contract signed this week will protect the patient-provider relationship and allow us to continue fulfilling our mission of improving the health and well-being of all those we serve.
We value our relationship with you and would be honored to have the opportunity to be part of your care team in the future. If you have any questions about this new contact, or what it may mean for you, please do not hesitate to call 919-350-8359. With questions about your plan coverage, please contact UnitedHealthcare by calling the number on your health plan ID card.
What This Means for UnitedHealthcare Members
Because WakeMed’s network participation differs by UnitedHealthcare plan and the WakeMed provider or service being accessed, we want to be clear about what changes on October 15 and what remains unchanged.
Beginning October 15, 2026, WakeMed hospitals, participating specialist physicians,healthplex locations and Home Health will return to UnitedHealthcare’s network for applicable employer-sponsored commercial plans.
WakeMed primary care physicians, WakeMed ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and 210 PET Imaging remained in network throughout the negotiations and will continue participating in UnitedHealthcare’s commercial network.
The new agreement does not include UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange/Marketplace plans.
Patients covered by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina have continued to have in-network access to WakeMed throughout this period. WakeMed’s participation for these members was not affected by the commercial negotiations, and there is no change to their WakeMed network access as a result of this agreement.
The October 15 agreement does not bring all WakeMed providers and services back into UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage network. WakeMed hospitals, participating specialist physicians, healthplex locations and Home Health will remain out of network for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans at this time.
However, Medicare Advantage members continue to have in-network access to certain WakeMed providers and services. WakeMed-employed primary care physicians, WakeMed ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and 210 PET Imaging remain in UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage network and were not affected by the out-of-network period.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Group Retiree PPO members may also be able to continue receiving covered care at WakeMed even when a WakeMed hospital or provider is considered out of network. For Group Retiree PPO plans that provide the same member cost sharing for in-network and out-of-network care, receiving covered services at WakeMed does not result in a higher copay, deductible or coinsurance solely because WakeMed is out of network.
Because benefits can vary by plan, Group Retiree PPO members should confirm their specific coverage and any authorization requirements with UnitedHealthcare before scheduling non-emergency services.
Other UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members considering WakeMed services should also review their individual plan benefits and network coverage and confirm coverage for the specific WakeMed provider or service before scheduling non-emergency care.
Regardless of insurance network status, patients experiencing a medical emergency should always seek care at the nearest emergency department.
Preparing for October 15
WakeMed and UnitedHealthcare are working together over the next several weeks to prepare for the October 15 effective date. This includes updating network information and completing the administrative processes necessary to support a smooth transition back to in-network care.
Additional information will be made available as we approach October 15.
Most importantly, we want to thank our patients and community for the trust you have continued to place in WakeMed. We are pleased that this agreement restores in-network access to more WakeMed specialty physicians, facilities and services for UnitedHealthcare commercial members and allows more patients to return to the WakeMed care teams they know and trust.
It is a privilege to care for you and your family, and we look forward to welcoming UnitedHealthcare commercial members back to WakeMed as in-network patients.
Updated September 17, 2026