Hunt Regional to stay in-network with Humana

Nov. 21--Many Hunt County residents who are covered under medical insurance through Humana were relieved to receive a letter from Hunt Regional Healthcare on Tuesday, announcing that in-network access for Humana members will continue into the new year.

In September, Humana members in Hunt Regional's database received an earlier letter saying that all agreements between the hospital and Humana would be canceled, effective Jan. 1.

In that September letter, Hunt Regional CEO Richard Carter said that the hospital's decision to cancel the agreement had been made because "Humana's business practices include more frequent refusals to approve necessary services for patients, more frequent refusals to pay and delays in payment for services provided."

However, regardless of the reasons for the planned split, many retirees in the county who receive benefits through Humana -- several of them former teachers -- were vocal about their concern and anxiety over the then-looming separation.

"You're looking at this from a financial standpoint, but we're looking at this from a humanitarian standpoint," one audience member said at an information session in October about the planned split. "You're talking about how the hospital can't afford to keep them, but how are we supposed to afford what we need?"

In the new letter sent out early this week, Carter announced that a new agreement had been reached "that will continue in-network access for Humana members at Hunt Regional facilities and with (their) Hunt Regional Medical Partners physicians."

Similarly, Texas Medicare President for Humana Bill White assured in a joint press release prepared by both Humana and Hunt Regional, "Thanks to this new agreement with Hunt Regional Medical Center, our Humana members in Hunt County will continue to have health care options close to their home, ensuring they receive convenient care."

In terms of coverage, Carter went on to explain in his letter that "Humana plans will continue to have access to Hunt Regional's full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency services and to our more than 30 Hunt Regional Medical Partners physicians and mid-level providers."

In Humana/Hunt Regional's related press release, it was also specified that, under the new agreement, those using "Humana's Medicare Advantage (including individual PPO and Private Fee for Service plans); Group Medicare, including the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) HealthSelect Medicare Advantage Plan and Teacher Retirement System of Texas TRS-Care Medicare Advantage Plan; and employer group (commercial) plan members" would still have access to those services.

For now, many in Hunt County are at least cautiously relieved by the news that Hunt Regional Healthcare will remain in-network with Humana.

"I'm thankful, especially for our retired teachers," Katy Ridge, who conducted the information sessions back in October, said of the new agreement. "I think this will protect our community members better, certainly more so than if they hadn't have come to an agreement."

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