Corvallis Updates: Samaritan to Part Ways with United Healthcare Network, Art Center Gala Coming, Weekend Bus Detours

Samaritan Health is terminating its contract with insurer United Healthcare. Their hospitals will be out of network come Jan. 9, and their physician and provider services will go out of network on Nov. 1, 2024. 

Emergency care at the hospital will be covered, however, because of Oregon’s No Surprises Act, which requires insurers to pay those costs as if they were in-network. 

All of United Healthcare’s individual and employer provided plan customers will be impacted, as will patients with their Medicare Advantage plan. 

Samaritan, a nonprofit, owns the only hospitals in Benton, Linn and Lincoln counties, a total of five hospitals. They also run approximately 80 clinics, and have 6,000 employees.  

Samaritan continues to be in-network for most major insurers – so you may want to do some shopping. As a reminder, the enrollment period for Medicare patients ends on Dec. 7. 

What They’re Saying: In a release, Samaritan said, “United Healthcare’s processing of requests and claims has made it difficult for Samaritan to provide timely access to the appropriate care to United’s members. This, along with other factors, is not in alignment with our mission of building healthier communities together.” 

In a statement to industry observer, Becker’s, a spokesperson for United Healthcare said, “Samaritan Health Services recently issued a termination notice to end our commercial and Medicare contracts in Oregon,” and,  “UnitedHealthcare is open to good faith negotiations, and we urge Samaritan to work with us to reach an agreement that will ensure the members we serve have continued access to Samaritan’s hospitals and providers.” 

Support Your Arts Center: We’ll confess, this is the second excuse we’ve found to remind readers that The Arts Center’s annual fundraiser is coming up. If you have the means, you may want to buy one or two of their $75 tickets, given all The Arts Center does for our community. 

We would also mention, that for the folks that like these kinds of fundraisers, this tends to be one of the best Corvallis has to offer each year. This iteration of the Art for the Heart Galacelebrates community contributions to our vibrant  arts ecosystem. The evening includes: 

  • A special welcome from Premier sponsors PRAx, Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts, and info about their grand opening. 
  • 100 chances to win the Golden Ticket Fine Dining Raffle valued at $500. With every ticket, there is a Burst’s Chocolate bar, so everyone is a winner. 
  • 150 8×8 artworks created and donated by 100 artists. 
  • Fabulous Live Auction and Silent Auction experiences, vacation stays,  services, and items sure to tempt.  
  • Artisan dessert samples, appetizers, and craft beverages to enjoy. 

Details: Saturday, Oct. 7, 6 to 9 pm, doors open at 5:30 pm, at the CH2M-Hill Alumni Center, 725 SW 26th Street, Corvallis. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. 

First, Bus Detours for OSU Move-in Day: The annual OSU Move In Weekend is upon us, the following detours will be in effect Friday September 22 through Sunday September 24. 

Outbound Routes 3, 8, Philomath Connection 

Detour:  Westbound on Jefferson Avenue, south on 11th Street, west on Western Blvd., resume regular route 

Stops out of Service During Detour:  15th Street & Jefferson Ave. – During this detour, the nearest available stop is at Western Blvd & 16th Street 

15th Street & Washington Way – During this detour, the nearest available stop is at Western Blvd & 16th Street 

Inbound Routes 3, 8, Philomath Connection 

Detour:  Eastbound on Western Blvd, north on 30th Street, east on Jackson Avenue, south on Arnold Way, east of Monroe Avenue, resume regular route 

Stops out of Service During Detour:  Western Blvd & Grove Street – During this detour, the nearest available stop is a temporary stop on 30th Street north of Western Blvd.   

 26th Street & A Avenue – During this detour, the nearest available stop is at Monroe Avenue & 26th Street 

26th Street & Washington Way – During this detour, the nearest available stop is at Monroe Avenue & 26th Street 

26th Street & Jefferson Way – During this detour, the nearest available stop is at Monroe Avenue & 26th Street 

26th Street & Campus Way – During this detour, the nearest available stop is at Monroe Avenue & 26th Street 

Inbound Route 6 

Detour:  Westbound on Western Blvd, north on 11th Street, east on Jefferson Avenue, resume regular route 

Stops out of Service During Detour: 

15th Street & Western Blvd – During this detour, the nearest available stop is a temporary stop on Jefferson Ave east of 11th Street 

 15th Street & Jefferson Avenue – During this detour, the nearest available stop is a temporary stop on Jefferson Ave east of 11th Street  

 Jefferson Avenue & 11th Street – During this detour, the nearest available stop is a temporary stop on Jefferson Ave east of 11th Street  

Also, Fall Festival Bus Detours: Due to the Fall Festival, the following detours will be in effect from Friday September 22 through Sunday September 24.  Regular service will resume on Monday, Sept. 25.  

Route 1 

Inbound Detour – Eastbound on Monroe Avenue, right on 9th Street, left on Jefferson Ave, left on 5th Street, left on Monroe Avenue, left into Downtown Transit Center (DTC) 

Inbound Stop out of Service During Detour:  Monroe Avenue & 9th Street – During the detour, the nearest available stop is at the DTC 

Route 2 

Inbound Detour – Southbound on 9th Street, left on Jefferson Avenue, left on 5th Street, left on Monroe Avenue, left into DTC 

Inbound Stop out of Service During Detour:  Monroe Avenue & 9th Street – During the detour, the nearest available stop is at the DTC 

Route 3 

Inbound Detour – Eastbound on Monroe Avenue, right on 9th Street, left on Jefferson Avenue, left on 5th Street, left on Monroe Avenue, left into DTC 

Inbound Stop out of Service During Detour:  Monroe Avenue & 9th Street – During the detour, the nearest available stop is at the DTC 

Route 5 

Inbound Detour – Eastbound on Monroe Avenue, right on 9th Street, left on Jefferson Avenue, left on 5th Street, left on Monroe Avenue, left into DTC 

Inbound Stop out of Service During Detour:  Monroe Avenue & 9th Street – During the detour, the nearest available stop is at the DTC 

Route 6 

Inbound Detour – Eastbound on Jefferson Avenue, left on 5thStreet, left on Monroe Avenue, left into DTC 

Inbound Stop out of Service During Detour:  9th Street & Madison Avenue – During the detour, the nearest available stop is at the DTC 

Monroe Avenue & 9th Street – During the detour, the nearest available stop is at the DTC 

Route 7 

Inbound Detour – Eastbound on Monroe Avenue, right on 9th Street, left on Jefferson Avenue, left on 5th Street, left on Monroe Avenue, left into DTC 

Inbound Stop out of Service During Detour:  Monroe Avenue & 9th Street – During the detour, the nearest available stop is at the DTC 

Route 8 

Inbound Detour – Eastbound on Monroe Avenue, right on 9th Street, left on Jefferson Avenue, left on 5th Street, left on Monroe Avenue, left into DTC 

Inbound Stop out of Service During Detour:  Monroe Avenue & 9th Street – During the detour, the nearest available stop is at the DTC 

Route 50 

Outbound Detour – South on 5th Street, right on Jefferson Avenue, right on 9th Street, left on Monroe Avenue, resume regular route. 

Inbound Detour – Eastbound on Monroe Avenue, right on 9th Street, left on Jefferson Avenue, left on 5th Street, left on Monroe Avenue, left into DTC 

Inbound Stop out of Service During Detour:  Monroe Avenue & 9th Street – During the detour, the nearest available stop is at the DTC 

Philomath Connection 

Inbound Detour – Eastbound on Monroe Avenue, right on 9th Street, left on Jefferson Avenue, left on 6th Street, right on Monroe Avenue, left into DTC 

Inbound Stop out of Service During Detour:  Monroe Avenue & 9th Street – During the detour, the nearest available stop is at the DTC 

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