Letter to Our Community - September 30

Legacy and UnitedHealthcare reach an agreement on a new contract   

September 30, 2026 

By Merrin Permut, Vice President & Chief Population Health Officer

I am happy to share that Legacy has reached an agreement on a new contract with UnitedHealthcare, effective October 1, 2026. UnitedHealthcare members can continue to access all Legacy hospitals, clinics and services, as well as Legacy GoHealth Urgent Care centers, at in-network rates and benefits. 

Reaching this agreement keeps patients from having to pay more money out-of-pocket for services at Legacy and ensures that patients can access the care they need. 

We appreciate UnitedHealthcare’s partnership in reaching a reasonable agreement that supports its members, our patients and the long-term sustainability of health care in our region. Health systems nationwide—particularly in Oregon—continue to face rising costs. Since 2021, Legacy’s operating expenses have increased 50%, while UnitedHealthcare’s payments have not kept pace, leaving Legacy to absorb more of the cost of patient care. 

This new contract recognizes the high-quality, accessible care Legacy delivers within our communities, and while it does not completely close our financial gap, it more effectively responds to the increased operating costs and reflects our shared commitment and responsibility to our patients. 

We recognize this situation may have caused additional stress, and we appreciate your patience. We remain committed to being here for our patients and communities who trust us to provide high-quality care from the providers they know and trust. 

Merrin Permut, MHA
Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer
Legacy Health