Part of Premier/UHC contract expires at Saturday deadline

largest health insurer, have agreed to extend Medicare Advantage coverage until the end of this year for UHC members who use Premier hospitals and providers.

However, the two sides remain at odds over a key issue and did not come to an agreement in all of the negotiations by the midnight deadline Saturday.

UnitedHealthcare had already sent letters to patients and providers advising them that a contract might not be reached by the deadline, ending in-network access to Dayton-based Premier’s hospitals for those residents with individual and employer-sponsored health plans.

Premier physicians will be outof-network on May 14 for employer-sponsored, individual, and Medicaid plans, according to UHC. And both Premier hospitals and physicians will be outof-network for Medicaid plans starting May 14.

The contract termination affects about 70,000 members of UHC’s Medicaid, and commercial plans in the Dayton area. Those members are now faced with the prospect of finding new doctors and driving longer distances to get care their insurance will cover.

In a statement, Premier Health said, “We are deeply disappointed that UnitedHealthcare has rejected

The city WEST CARROLLTON — expects to close this week on a cornerstone property near Interstate 75, the third land deal for West Carrollton in its gateway corridor in recent months.

Acquiring the Carrollton Plaza will give the city control of the largest chunk of about 19 acres targeted for redevelopment. City officials hope that lays a foundation for a revitalization effort that eventually leads to their vision an entertainment district involving hundreds of acres along the Great Miami River, a concept granted state approval.

The 13.75-acre former Roberds site on East Dixie Drive is “certainly the most prominent piece of property right at the gateway from (I-75) into our community,” said West Carrollton Economic Development Director Michael Lucking. “So that is a critical piece of property for the community going forward.”

The $1.8 million purchase is a part of a $3.14 million package to demolish and clear the land. But