Starting Jan. 1, 2025, the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is dropping coverage for Humana Medicare Advantage plans.
PLHS said this decision was made “in the best interest of the patients.”
Affected customers will be notified through a direct mailing using the home addresses provided to the hospital. The letter contains resources for patients to consider an alternative health insurance plan that is in-network for Prairie Lakes services. Patients can select a new plan during the Medicare open enrollment period of Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2024.
PLHS notes that patients themselves are not being dropped from the hospital, only their coverage, so they will be billed the out-of-network prices if they continue to seek coverage through the hospital.
“Our number one goal is to provide exceptional patient care every day,” said Lynn Severson, Chief Financial Officer at Prairie Lakes. “Although this is a difficult decision as it affects many patients, we ultimately feel it is the right thing to do in order to give our patients the care they deserve.”
Medicare patients who have appointments and/or procedures scheduled in 2025 are encouraged to check their 2025 Medicare plan coverage network to make sure Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is in network and contact their insurance company directly for questions about coverage.