UnitedHealthcare launches pilot to speed up Medicare Advantage payments

UnitedHealthcare on Wednesday announced a six-month pilot program that will accelerate Medicare Advantage payments to rural hospitals by cutting average collection times in half.

The initiative will reduce payment collection times from under 30 days to under 15 days, providing faster cash flow to independent rural hospitals facing financial challenges.

The pilot program will operate in four states: Oklahoma, Idaho, Minnesota and Missouri. It specifically targets independent rural healthcare facilities that are experiencing financial difficulties.

UnitedHealthcare plans to share progress updates with providers, policymakers and community stakeholders throughout the pilot period.

The company indicated that insights gathered during the six-month trial will guide potential expansion to additional hospitals and markets.

The program aims to provide immediate cash-flow relief to these rural healthcare providers, which often serve as critical access points in their communities.