Essentia will dump two Medicare plans

As of next year, Essentia Health will no longer accept Medicare Advantage insurance plans administered by UnitedHealthcare and Humana.

According to a news release, Essentia Health has started to inform patients that it no longer will serve as an in-network provider for Medicare Advantage plans administered by UnitedHealthcare (UHC) and Humana, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

The release stated that UHC and Humana delay and deny approval of care for patients at more than twice the rate of other Medicare Advantage plans. This can cause unnecessary hardships for many Essentia patients.

“This was not a de...