NEWAYGO, MI — FOX 17 traveled to Newaygo on Friday to speak with a woman with Humana Insurance about the future of her coverage. She has been on dialysis for nearly 12 years.
She claims she is not eligible for a kidney transplant.
From Grand Rapids to Muskegon, people like Deanna Welch with Humana Medicare Advantage insurance are no longer part of Trinity Health's network. This means that there is no longer a pre-negotiated fee agreement between Humana and Trinity.
“They don't want to pay anything this year. Dialysis told us that. They didn't renew the contract,” Deanna Welch said.
People like Deanna with Humana Medicare Advantage are affected.
“Big companies are waiting for you, whether you come in or out,” Deanna said.
The change poses a big problem for her because she commutes from Newaygo to Trinity Health Muskegon three times a week for dialysis. She says she hopes to find other outlets.
FOX 17 spoke with Dr. Rem Tipirneni from the University of Michigan's Institute for Health Policy and Innovation, who shared some free resources for people. We are currently facing challenges due to change.
However, Deanna's biggest concern now is going back and forth between appointments.
“Look, when I go to dialysis, I go in the Council on Aging van. But Humana and my Medicaid were paying for that. Now, Humana doesn't want to pay for that. Humana If they don’t do it, Medicaid isn’t going to do it,” Deanna said.
In fact, Deanna claims her limited Social Security budget will cover the cost of gas to get her to Muskegon and back for dialysis.
“There's nothing I can do, if they don't want to do it, they don't have to. They don't want to pay the price that the hospital and the doctors want,” Deanna said.
Woman worries about health care after Humana and Trinity Health end partnership
Dr. Tipirneni says these problems happen.
“Unfortunately, why this happens is common. Everyone is trying to work from their own angle. I think the challenge is that patients get caught up in that,” Tipirneni says. the doctor said.
Humana released the following statement to FOX 17:
“Humana is committed to providing our health plan members with access to quality care while minimizing out-of-pocket costs. We continue to have discussions in good faith with Trinity Health. We are open to renewing the agreement if it is fair to both parties.''Humana has a strong network of excellent healthcare providers to ensure our members continue to receive high-quality, effective, and affordable care. Maintained. We understand that changing health care providers can be difficult and we will work with Medicare. As an Advantage member, we will help you select a new in-network provider to ensure uninterrupted care. If you require personal assistance, we encourage you to call the Humana Customer Care number located on the back of your membership card. Network participation does not affect members of Humana's Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan. ”
Trinity Health released the following statement to FOX 17:
“We have previously shared that Trinity Health is working hard to reach a fair agreement with Humana. Unfortunately, Trinity Health will no longer be part of Humana’s network on January 1, 2025. This affects patients covered by Humana Medicare Advantage plans in the 2025 benefit year. Although we have worked diligently for months to find common ground, Humana does not share our sense of urgency to ensure our customers continue to have access to Trinity Health. We rely on fair payments from health insurance companies so we can maintain the quality care you depend on and need.
“We will not give up on our efforts to reach a fair agreement with Humana. We are committed to recognizing how important it is to you and your family to continue to receive care from the doctors, nurses and staff at Trinity Health you can trust. I understand that.”
“For more information, including how you can gain affordable access to Trinity Health in 2025, regardless of your status with Humana, please visit: TrinityHealthMichigan.org/Humana [trinityhealthmichigan.org]. ”
Deanna remains hopeful that she will find a report soon.
“There's not much I can do. Just pass by,” Deanna said.
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Trinity Health is no longer part of Humana's network
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