Brookings Health System in South Dakota will no longer be in-network for any Medicare Advantage plans starting in 2024.
Chief Financial Officer Melissa Wagner emphasized the difference between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, highlighting that while they serve the same population, they have distinct features.
Medicare Advantage plans are privatized versions of the government payer, offering additional benefits, but often with narrower provider networks.
Brookings Health System is proactively reaching out to insurance agents and the community to ensure awareness of the change.
The decision looks to ensure the hospital’s fiscal responsibility and sustainability as a community healthcare provider.