LMH Health notifying patients about Medicare Advantage changes
As Open Enrollment for Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans approaches, LMH Health is notifying patients that the health system will no longer accept Aetna Medicare Advantage or Humana Medicare Advantage insurance effective January 1, 2025.
“Reimbursement from insurance companies is one of the biggest challenges hospitals face, and especially so with those administering Medicare Advantage programs. Aetna and Humana have the lowest reimbursement of any of the Medicare Advantage programs we accept, paying the hospital and physicians well below the cost to provide care to patients,” said Rob Chestnut, LMH Health Chief Financial Officer.
“Prior authorization denials disrupt patient care and Medicare Advantage plans have the most excessive prior authorization denial rate. They often ‘delay, deny or don’t pay,’ allowing private companies to make more money.”
To help patients navigate the various types of coverage, LMH Health will offer Conversations and Comparisons, a seminar on Medicare and Medicare Advantage coverage. The event will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, in the Auditorium at the LMH Main Campus at 325 Maine St.
A panel of experts including representatives from the Douglas County Senior Resource Center, the Kansas Hospital Association, a member of the LMH Patient Accounts team and an LMH physician will share their experiences with the types of coverage and answer audience questions. The seminar will be recorded and made available after the event. More information is available online at lmh.org/medicare.
“We want our patients to spend their energy focusing on a healthy life, not worrying about what their insurance will cover at those times they require medical intervention,” said LMH Health President and CEO Russ Johnson. “This community gathering is a chance to learn about the differences of the plans and what might work best for your personal situation. Bringing this great panel of experts together is another way we can truly be a trusted partner.”
