St. Joseph Healthcare System announced Thursday it had struck a contract agreement with health insurance provider UnitedHealthcare.

It's a move that restores access to Saint Joseph's for people across Central New York, covered under UnitedHealthcare or Medicare Advantage.

St. Joseph's said patients can start rescheduling care immediately.

The deal is also retroactive, meaning patients who received services at St. Joseph's since July 1 will now be processed as in-network.