Thomas Memorial Hospital and Saint Francis Hospital, both part of the Charleston, W.Va.-based Thomas Health System are no longer in network with its Humana ChoiceCare Network, a Medicare Advantage plan, after Humana decided to drop the coverage with no explanation, according to a Charleston Gazette report.
Thomas Health CEO Steve Dexter received a letter from Humana on Dec. 6, 2011, stating that "the dynamics in the Charleston area have changed and…your ChoiceCare Network agreement is terminated without cause effective 2/1/2012 for all lines of business."
Mr. Dexter said that the hospitals are still currently in-network and want to stay in-network, but Humana's move was "totally inappropriate," according to the report. Mr. Dexter also argued that Humana only provided 56 days notice instead of the requisite 90-day termination notice.
Humana officials did not respond for comment, and Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) said he is looking into the situation as well.
Thomas Health CEO Steve Dexter received a letter from Humana on Dec. 6, 2011, stating that "the dynamics in the Charleston area have changed and…your ChoiceCare Network agreement is terminated without cause effective 2/1/2012 for all lines of business."
Mr. Dexter said that the hospitals are still currently in-network and want to stay in-network, but Humana's move was "totally inappropriate," according to the report. Mr. Dexter also argued that Humana only provided 56 days notice instead of the requisite 90-day termination notice.
Humana officials did not respond for comment, and Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) said he is looking into the situation as well.
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