Three years after Dignity Health left Humana Inc.’s network, the two organizations finally have hammered out a new deal.
Brendan Baker, Arizona market president for Humana’s senior products, said the two companies negotiated a deal because of a “mutual need for each other.”
Dignity’s addition represents a significant expansion to Humana’s provider network.
“Dignity is an outstanding medical system here in the Valley, and this gives our members more options,” Baker said.
The network agreement becomes effective on May 1. It includes Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans, employer groups and individual plan members.
“This also allows us to continue to grow our market share here,” Baker said.
Jim Hammond, market director for the Arizona Managed Care Newsletter, said the deal is an illustration of how long it can take to resolve differences.
“They walked away from each other three years ago and have probably been trying to get back together ever since,” he said. “It’s taken them this long to work it out.”
Date: Apr 24, 2014