IU Health said Thursday the new agreement confirms that its physicians and facilities are in-network providers in UnitedHealthcare insurance plans. The deal means that all services provided by IU Health as of Jan. 1 will be billed as in-network.

Negotiations between UnitedHealthcare and IU Health had failed to yield a new contract before the existing contract expired on Dec. 31.

IU Health has been granting UnitedHealthcare patients a special “in-network'' status to help avoid a disruption of health care services and encourage ongoing care with their physician during the contract negotiations.

A UnitedHealthcare spokesman didn't immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.