Dive Brief:
- Humana has notified its Florida customers that as of July 10, HCA hospitals may no longer be a part of their network. HCA is Florida's largest for-profit hospital chain, with 46 hospitals and surgery facilities in the state.
- The question now is whether the two will work out a deal before the deadline.
- The issue comes at an awkward time for Humana, which has gone silent to the media as everyone awaits word on whether it is arranging its sale. Humana is reportedly oberving a quiet period until July 29, when it is scheduled to announce its second-quarter results.
Dive Insight:
A split between Humana and HCA would likely cause the most disruption in Tampa Bay, where they both have a major share of the market, as Health News Florida notes. HCA has 22 facilities in the metro area plus another eight between Bradenton and Venice.
Splitting from HCA would also have a high impact in Jacksonville and the major south Florida counties of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade.
Humana's letter tells consumers that if there is no deal by July 10, some patients who are already receiving care at HCA hospitals may be approved to continue there at in-network rates.
While Humana has remained mum, an HCA spokeswoman released a statement that their company is "optimistic it will be worked out."