GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – What once seemed like flatlined talks between UF Health and United Healthcare, took a positive turn in January as both sides are ramping up resuscitation efforts over reimbursement rates.
“I know we are going to keep trying, so I am going to choose to be optimistic that we are going to get to a resolution,” said Dr. Marvin Dewar.
He is the CEO of UF Health Physicians and says progress is being made for Medicaid patients to return in network, likely before those with commercial plans.
He estimates UF Health is waiting to get paid millions of dollars for all types of care doctors provided to patients since September 1st.
“We decided we have to continue to deliver the care because there is no place else for people to go,” Dr. Dewar told TV20.
United Healthcare says its rate of claim denials, with some publications ranking it the worst and with the highest percentage, is false.
On its website, the company says it “pays 98% of all claims” and the other 2%, “did not meet the benefit criteria established by the plan sponsor.”
Dewar says United Healthcare denied paying for patients’ routine mammograms.
“There is no reason to have to go through all this process of denying those things,” Dr. Dewar said.
United Healthcare officials say that type of care typically doesn’t need prior authorization. They also say new transplant cases on or after September 1st would be out of network, although UF Health disputes it.
“Our transplant contract didn’t come to a term. That’s part of a different contract with a different United company,” Dr. Dewar explained.
In a statement to TV20, a United Healthcare spokesperson says, “Our focus remains on reaching an agreement with UF Health. We have met more than a dozen times over the past three weeks with the goal of reaching a solution that’s affordable for consumers and employers.”
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2025 WCJB. All rights reserved.