Humana Negotiations

Important information for Patients with Humana Health Insurance

We continue to negotiate for a fair agreement with Humana. Despite our best efforts, Humana has continued to delay progress and has yet to offer a proposal that meets Loyola Medicine’s needs. If we cannot reach an agreement before Jan. 1, 2025, Humana may force Loyola Medicine hospitals, facilities and doctors out of network.

Humana’s current reimbursement does not adequately cover the true cost of the care we provide. We are asking Humana to do its part to protect the care our patients, Humana members, deserve. Loyola Medicine is committed to providing high-quality patient care, which depends on fair payment from insurers.

We know this situation is stressful. We're working tirelessly to reach an agreement with Humana, and we need Humana to put patients first. Thank you for your continued trust in Loyola Medicine. We'll keep you informed as negotiations progress.

We Believe Health Comes First

We know how important it is for you and your family to receive care from the trusted doctors, nurses and staff at Loyola Medicine. As a not-for-profit local care provider, we work tirelessly to care for our patients and communities. We also continue to reduce costs and implement efficiencies to ensure we can continue providing high quality care to our patients.

We are asking health insurers to put patients first just like we do. Without them doing their part, access to care is at risk. Loyola Medicine provides high-quality care in our community while doing our part to make health care affordable – in 2023 alone, we've invested over $180 million in our local communities.

Meanwhile, Humana has made it increasingly difficult for us to invest in the medical innovations, technologies and programs patients rely on by delaying patient care or refusing to pay for care altogether. As one of the nation’s largest and most profitable health insurers, we need Humana to protect patient care and access. We are asking Humana to put patient health over their wealth. For us, Health Comes First.

Frequently Asked Questions

You deserve access to high-quality health care

At Loyola Medicine, we believe our community members deserve options for high-quality care, and we are proud to be one of Illinois’ most trusted health care providers. That’s why we’re working to protect our ability to serve patients for generations because Health Comes First.

If you do not find the answers to your negotiation-related questions on this site, please contact us directly via this website through our contact us page or call our patient line at 708-553-0044. This website will be updated as our negotiations continue, so please check back for the most up-to-date information.

Q:        I have a Humana health plan. What does this mean for me?

A:        For now, nothing changes. You should continue to visit Loyola Medicine hospitals, facilities and physicians as you normally would. We are working hard to reach a new agreement before Jan. 1, 2025 to avoid care disruption and we need Humana to join us by putting patients first.

Q:       What is happening?

A:        Loyola Medicine is negotiating with Humana for a new agreement that appropriately covers the cost of the care we provide patients with Humana Medicare Advantage and dually enrolled plans. Our current contract will expire Jan. 1, 2025. Negotiations are a routine part of doing business and we are working to improve our relationship with Humana. As one of the nation’s largest and most profitable health insurance companies, Humana has made it increasingly difficult for Loyola Medicine to invest in the medical innovations, technologies and programs patients rely on by delaying patient care or refusing to pay for care altogether.

Q:        Why is this happening?

A:        As a trusted local care provider, we work tirelessly to care for our patients and communities. We also continue to reduce costs and implement efficiencies to ensure we can continue providing high quality care to our patients. But we can’t continue to do it alone. We cannot maintain access to the care and services patients depend on and need without a fair agreement from Humana.

Q:        When does the contract with Humana end?

A:        Our current agreement expires January 1, 2025. 

Q:        Why are you notifying members now?

A:        As we approach open enrollment season, Loyola Medicine wants to ensure that patients are fully informed about their options for 2025. Our goal is to secure a contract with Humana and minimize disruption to our patients’ care. However, we believe it is crucial to keep our community aware of the situation, should we encounter difficulties in reaching a fair agreement with Humana.

Q:        Which Humana health plans are affected by the negotiations?

A:        Patients with the following health plans are impacted:

Q:        Which providers and facilities are impacted?

A:        All Loyola Medicine hospitals, facilities and employed providers are impacted by these contract negotiations including Loyola University Medical Center, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital and MacNeal Hospital.

Q:        What can I do to protect my in-network access to Loyola Medicine?

A:        While our negotiations with Humana continue, you can take these steps to protect your access to in-network care with Loyola Medicine:

• If you are eligible for Medicare Advantage, the Annual Enrollment Period for your 2025 coverage ends on Dec. 7. During this period, you can continue exploring and comparing different plans. Even if you have already selected a plan, you can still change your selection. We work with many health plans – please visit loyolamedicine.org/for-patients/billing-and-insurance/insurance-information to learn more.
• For options to switch plans during the Annual Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2024, contact MedicareCompareUSA, a licensed insurance agency at (888) 482-4976, TTY 711 (Monday - Friday 8 am – 7 pm) to help you identify a Medicare plan that meets your personal needs and is accepted by your Loyola providers and facilities. Through our partnership with MedicareCompareUSA, you can access resources and a helpline at MedicareOnDemand.com/Loyola.
• Never delay care. You will always have in-network access to our emergency department. Regardless of our network status with Humana, you should always visit the closest emergency department if you experience a medical emergency.
• If you’re receiving ongoing treatment, call the number on the back of your Humana insurance card to receive more information about Continuity of Care—you may be able to continue in-network care at Loyola Medicine.
• If you receive insurance through your employer, ask about health plans that include Loyola Medicine. Your employer may be able to provide you with secondary health plan coverage that includes access to your trusted Loyola Medicine caregivers.
• If you are dually enrolled, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to learn about available plans, including those that offer continued access to your trusted providers.
• Call the number on the back of your insurance card and express how this negotiation is impacting your access to the providers and services you know and trust at Loyola Medicine.

Q:        What other health plans will keep Loyola Medicine in my network next year?

A:        We work with many other health plans offering Medicare Advantage products that will give you in-network access to Loyola Medicine for the 2025 benefit year. Please visit loyolamedicine.org/for-patients/billing-and-insurance/insurance - information to learn more.

Q:        What if I’m in the hospital when the contract ends?

A:        If you are already admitted to the hospital before Jan. 1, 2025, you will be covered at in-network rates through the end of your inpatient stay.

Q:        What if I have an elective procedure scheduled at a Loyola Medicine facility on or after January 1, 2025?

A:        We understand that some patients may have appointments scheduled on or after Jan. 1. If possible, you should call your provider’s office to request that the appointment or procedure be rescheduled before Jan. 1. If you are unable to reschedule your appointment or choose to keep your appointment, you may have to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for your care with Loyola Medicine if Humana forces us out of its provider network.

Q:        What if I have an emergency on or after Jan. 1 and Loyola Medicine is out of network?

A:        Patients will always have in-network access to our emergency rooms, regardless of our status with Humana. If you experience an emergency, you should always visit the nearest emergency room. Patients needing emergency care can receive in-network treatment until the patient is stable.

Q:        How can I stay up to date on the negotiations?

A:        For the most up-to-date information, we encourage you to contact us by visiting LoyolaMedicine.org/Humana or calling 708-553-0044.

What You Can Do

There are ways to protect your ability to affordably access Loyola Medicine in 2025, regardless of our status with Humana. Consider the following:

• If you are eligible for Medicare Advantage, the Annual Enrollment Period ends Dec. 7 and you can continue looking for plans through that time, even if you have already made a selection. We work with many health plans – please visit loyolamedicine.org/for-patients/billing-and-insurance/insurance-information to learn more.
• For options to switch plans during the Annual Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2024, contact MedicareCompareUSA, a licensed insurance agency at (888) 482-4976, TTY 711 (Monday - Friday 8 am – 7 pm) to help you identify a Medicare plan that meets your personal needs and is accepted by your Loyola providers and facilities. Through our partnership with MedicareCompareUSA, you can access resources and a helpline at MedicareOnDemand.com/Loyola.
• Never delay care. You will always have in-network access to our emergency department. Regardless of our network status with Humana, you should always visit the closest emergency department if you experience a medical emergency.
• If you’re receiving ongoing treatment, call the number on the back of your Humana insurance card to receive more information about Continuity of Care — you may be able to continue in-network care at Loyola Medicine.
• If you are dually-enrolled, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to learn about available plans, including those that have offer continued access to your trusted Loyola Medicine providers. 
• Call the number on the back of your insurance card and express how this negotiation is impacting your access to the providers and services you know and trust at Loyola Medicine.