Humana reverses decision to drop hospitals under senator's pressure

Under pressure from Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Humana last week reversed its decision to stop providing coverage to two West Virginia hospitals.

Humana is notifying all of its affected members that they can seek care at Thomas Memorial Hospital and Saint Francis Hospital throughout 2012 at current in-network benefit levels, according to the Charleston Gazette. "This means Humana Medicare members will pay no more for services at these hospitals throughout the rest of this year than they currently pay," said Jeff Blunt, a spokesman for Humana in Cincinnati.

The about-face is a result of Rockefeller, who after learning Humana was dropping the hospitals, wrote to Chief Exec Michael McCallister to express "outrage" over Humana's decision and to urge the insurer to continue its contracts. The influential lawmaker said his office received hundreds of calls from "panicked constituents" fearful of losing access to their doctors. He also contacted the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to look into the situation, the Charleston Daily Mail reports.

After Humana decided to uphold its hospital contracts, Rockefeller said, "Dropping patients without any warning would have had disastrous consequences for those who rely on these services at familiar hospitals. I'm happy the company heard my concerns and those of my constituents."

To learn more:
- read the Charleston Gazette article
- see the Charleston Daily Mail article

Related Articles:
Lawmakers may investigate as Humana drops hospitals
Humana acquires in-home chronic care provider to cut admissions
Humana changes leadership as succession plan unfolds
Humana buys second Medicare Advantage plan to expand business