Norman Regional Health System and UnitedHealthcare reached a contract agreement, keeping Norman's only hospital in-network for all UnitedHealthcare policyholders.

The deal, announced Tuesday, Sept. 29, averts what could have been a major disruption for thousands of Norman-area patients. The prior contract between the two sides was set to expire Wednesday, Sept. 30. Without a new agreement, UnitedHealthcare policyholders would have lost in-network access to every Norman Regional facility in the city, the Norman Transcript reported.

Norman Regional had been negotiating with UnitedHealthcare for months. The health system first disclosed the talks in August, when the Transcript reported that a spokesperson warned policyholders could go out-of-network if no deal was reached by Sept. 30.

The new agreement covers all emergency, inpatient and outpatient services, including primary and specialty care, lab work, imaging and rehabilitation, according to a Norman Regional press release. It extends to both commercial and Medicare Advantage plans, a detail that matters for Norman seniors enrolled in UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage coverage.

The stakes were significant. Norman Regional operates the city's sole acute-care hospital, two freestanding emergency rooms, two urgent care locations and multiple primary care and specialty clinics across Norman.

Dr. Aaron L. Boyd, president and CEO of Norman Regional Health System, said in the press release that the hospital thanked patients for their understanding as it navigated the contract process.

"We understand that a patient's relationship with their doctor is extremely important, as well as having expert care close to home," Boyd said. "We're able to continue providing that compassionate care to UHC patients."

No financial terms were disclosed. In a statement to News9, UnitedHealthcare said "we have reached an agreement with Norman Regional that provides the people we serve with continued uninterrupted access to the health system's hospitals and providers."

Policyholders with questions can contact a Norman Regional representative at 405-515-0682 or visit normanregional.com/verify-insurance for a list of accepted insurances.