United Healthcare nurses were asked to leave six metro-Denver hospitals operated by HCA Inc. this morning, the latest salvo in an on-going contract dispute between the two companies. Each of the six hospitals only had one United nurse working there.
The nurses, who serve as caseworkers for United patients, were told to leave the HealthOne centers or they would be escorted out, said Tyler Mason, a United spokesman.
HealthOne spokeswoman Linda Kanamine said contractual and privacy issues dictated the move, which she described as “amicable”.
A contract-renewal deadline between the two companies passed Thursday night, making HCA’s HealthOne hospitals “out-of-network” for patients covered by United and its affiliates, PacifiCare and SecureHorizons. Patients can still recieve emergency services at HealthOne hospitals at “in-network” rates.
“Because they are out-of-network, their nurses aren’t free to roam our halls and look at patient files,” Kanamine said.
Patient care would not suffer as a result, she said.
“That’s our responsibility. We take care of the patients… Their nurses are there to manage their members. They’re managing United’s priorities,” she said.
But Mason said United nurses act as patient advocates, handling appeals and coordinating continuing care. He said the company has asked for but not yet received a written explanation justifying HCA’s decision.
The two companies are at impasse over reimbursement rates, which are paid by insurance companies to hospitals for patient care.
Kanamine said HCA plans to reach out to United and request further negotiations early next week.
Staff writer Kristi Arellano can be reached at 303-954-1902 or karellano@denverpost.com
