Four health systems in Ohio, Virginia and Minnesota have told Medicare Advantage patients to expect to be out of network when 2027 begins. Three of them are in disputes with Anthem, and the fourth is leaving UnitedHealthcare’s plans. Anyone in one of those plans has until December 7 to get a switch to the insurer.
Four systems, two insurers, one January 1 date
Kettering Health, the Dayton-area system, announced on October 6 that it will not renew its contract with Anthem, including Anthem MyCare. Patients can keep using their Anthem Medicare Advantage plans through December 31, 2026, Kettering says. The system says Anthem offered no terms that “meaningfully addressed administrative and operational burdens,” and points to growing shortfalls from denials and payment reductions.
Fairview Health Services in Minnesota says that from January 1, 2027 it will not schedule appointments or services for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage patients. Emergency care stays available, and UnitedHealthcare commercial members are not affected. Fairview also warns that insurer materials saying it stays in network after 2027 are “incorrect,” according to its notice to patients…