Officials with the Cass County Health System report, effective January 1, 2015, the Atlantic Medical Center, Cass County Memorial Hospital and Southwest Iowa Surgery will no longer participate in the Humana Medicare Advantage health insurance plan. According to Susan Daniels, Chief Financial Officer, they are announcing the change to assist area residents in selecting their Medicare Advantage plans for 2015.

Daniels said “We want people to be informed as they make their 2015 Medicare Advantage plan selections for the coming year. While we don’t have a lot of patients who use this plan, we certainly didn’t want anyone to be surprised by the change in 2015.”

She noted the change is being made due to ongoing problems with claims being delayed and paid inaccurately. “We want to work with insurers who support us in providing outstanding care and service to our patients.”  Daniels explained the health system participates in several other Medicare Advantage plans. “We are confident our patients will be able to select a plan that meets their personal needs and still allows us to be their healthcare provider.”

She also noted that because participation will continue through the end of 2014, the Medicare Advantage website will not reflect the change, so it is important for consumers to understand this change that will go into effect January 1, 2015.

For questions or more information, please call either Nancy Templeman, Medicare Billing Coordinator, or Susan Daniels at Cass County Memorial Hospital, 712-243-3250.