Sanford Health announces plan to drop Humana Medicare Advantage

SIOUX FALLS — Sanford Health is one of many health systems across the country dropping Humana Medicare Advantage.

Sanford Health said ongoing challenges and concerns, such as coverage denials and delays in accessing care, are part of its decision to end participation with Humana Medicare Advantage on Dec. 31.

“This is a difficult decision, but ending our partnership with Humana Medicare Advantage is the right thing to do for our patients,” said Martha Leclerc, vice president of corporate contracting for Sanford Health.

“We have attempted to work with Humana for several years, but unfortunately, we have continued to experience delays in patient care, barriers to scheduling and denials of coverage causing financial burden and undue stress to our patients.”

Sanford patients with the coverage are encouraged to select a plan during the next Medicare Open Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

Nearly 10,000 patients in Minnesota were contacted directly about the change, including patients who had Humana coverage at a visit in the past two years.

Medicare Advantage provides health coverage to nearly half of the country’s older adults. Sanford is joining many hospitals and health systems that are opting to end their contracts over administrative challenges.

Sanford’s termination of Humana Medicare Advantage coverage does not include any Good Samaritan Society locations, meaning they will remain in-network for patients with Humana coverage.