With just hours before a deadline for a new contract between LCMC Health and UnitedHealthcare, the two parties had still not reached an agreement as of 4:30 p.m. Friday. If a deal isn’t struck by midnight, LCMC hospitals will become out-of-network for tens of thousands of UnitedHealthcare customers in Louisiana beginning Nov. 1.

The current contract between the two organizations expires Oct. 31 and covers UnitedHealthcare’s commercial plans, including employer-sponsored and individual plans. Patients enrolled in UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage or Medicaid plans will not be affected.

In a statement sent Friday afternoon, the health insurance company said they "remain actively engaged in discussions with LCMC. It remains our goal to reach an agreement that is affordable for the peopl

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