GREENSBORO, Ga. – St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital remains in network for patients with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) insurance even though St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens and some other components of St. Mary’s Health Care System are now out of network as the system works to negotiate a new agreement with UHC.

St. Mary’s Medical Group physicians and practices – including Middle Georgia Medical Associates and St. Mary’s specialists with satellite offices in Greene County – also remain in-network for UHC patients.

The negotiations between St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens and UHC do not affect patients who need care at Good Samaritan Hospital or St. Mary’s Medical Group offices. Patients with UHC commercial and Medicare Advantage plans should continue to keep and schedule appointments as usual. Emergency care is always covered at in-network rates.

The agreement between St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens and UHC expired on June 30, 2024. St. Mary’s is committed to working with UHC to reach a fair agreement that appropriately covers the true cost of the care the hospital, its outpatient facilities and its home health care/hospice service provides to patients with UHC plans.

“As a not-for-profit health system, rising supply and labor costs have made it difficult to maintain the services and convenience patients deserve,” said Stonish Pierce, President and CEO of Trinity Health Georgia, which includes all three hospitals in the St. Mary’s ministry. “We are doing our best to adapt and innovate, but we rely on fair reimbursement to keep our doors open. Without it, we cannot provide the care and services patients depend on and need.   

Pierce continued, “Unfortunately, despite UnitedHealth Group (UHC’s parent company) making record profits of $22 billion last year, UHC has not offered a contract that puts patients’ health over their own wealth. We believe everyone deserves access to high-quality health care. That’s why we are determined to protect patient access to St. Mary’s Hospital and push for what’s right, so we are here to care for the next generation.”

For more information about the negotiations between the Athens hospital and UHC, visit www.stmarys-health.org/uhc or call 706-225-8258.