Network contract negotiations with University of Utah Health

Regence was Utah’s first insurance provider and has served the people of Utah for more than 78 years. We’ve had a long, strong working relationship with the University of Utah Health – beginning when University of Utah Hospital was established in 1965.

Since last year, we have been working in good faith with University of Utah Health on a new contract to keep the health system, including the hospital, in our networks. Our current contract with University of Utah Health ends June 30, 2023, and we have not yet reached a new agreement.

Our premiums are based on what we expect care to cost. If providers want more money, our members and customers will pay more. Our negotiations with providers focus on ensuring Utah’s families and businesses are financially protected and do not face significant increases in their health plan premiums. Unfortunately, Regence and University of Utah Health have been unable to agree on an increase in what we pay them for care that will not significantly increase premiums.

If University of Utah Health leaves the Regence networks June 30, 2023:

• Members – including Medicare Advantage members – may continue to receive in-network care at University of Utah Health through June 30, 2023. Care received after June 30, 2023, will be covered by out-of-network benefits based on the member’s health plan and will cost more out of pocket. Some members do not have out-of-network benefits. This change would not affect Medicare Supplement (Medigap) members because they can see any provider that accepts Medicare.
• If a member is currently receiving certain care from University of Utah Health, they may have the right to continue in-network treatment for a limited time after the contract ends. Members are asked to call us at the number on the back of their member ID card to explore their options. Eligible conditions include, but are not limited to:
  • Seeing a provider for a serious or complex condition, including certain chronic conditions
  • Undergoing a course of institutional or inpatient care from a provider
  • Being scheduled for nonelective surgery from a provider
  • Being pregnant and seeing a provider for pregnancy-related care
  • Being determined to be terminally ill
• In an emergency, members should always seek care at the closest hospital. Care for an emergency medical condition will be covered as in-network (even if the member does not otherwise have out-of-network benefits), though their out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on their health plan benefits.
• Our network includes many other high-quality providers who share our commitment to high-quality, cost-effective care. Members can search online at regence.com or call us to find other in-network provider options.

Our relationship with University of Utah extends beyond provider contracts

• Recently, we partnered with our parent company to invest $1 million in the Utah Crisis Line, hosted by Huntsman Mental Health Institute. The Utah Crisis Line collaborates with all 13 local mental health authorities across the state to ensure the best services are provided based on location and need. This funding supported recruitment of crisis counselors to meet the urgent community need.
• Additionally, Cambia Health Foundation, funded in part by Regence health plans, has partnered with University of Utah Health on several recent community projects, including:
  • Supporting University of Utah School of Medicine Scholarship in support of underrepresented populations to diversify our health care workforce.
  • Providing a significant grant for Student Well-Being Program: Addressing Adolescent Mental Health for All Students, a partnership between University of Utah College of Education and local school districts to provide mental health support in schools, including classroom teacher-led social-emotional learning, small group therapy and support, and individual counseling and therapy.
  • Establishing funding to create an Advanced Practice Clinician (APC) Fellowship at the University of Utah College of Nursing. The goal of this Interprofessional Fellowship program is to build and strengthen the workforce of highly skilled clinicians to deliver whole-person and palliative care with an emphasis on improving access to behavioral health for patients and families residing in rural, underserved areas of Utah.
  • Collaborating with University of Utah to increase community-based, equitable access to vaccines during the pandemic by removing barriers, empowering individuals through culturally relevant information and decreasing hesitancy among underserved populations.

We’re here to help

We recognize how disruptive news about these negotiations can be to our members. We remain fully committed to continuing negotiations and reaching an agreement that maintains access to high-quality, cost-effective care for our Utah health plan members.

Our Customer Service team is ready to support members. If you have questions or need help, please call us at the number on the back of your member ID card. You can also sign in at regence.com to access your member account, search for in-network providers and more.

We will update this page as negotiations with University of Utah Health continue.