The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and The James have reached agreements with Humana that will preserve in-network access for patients with Humana Group Medicare Advantage. However, an agreement hasn’t been reached for Humana Individual Medicare Advantage plans.
Our agreement for the Humana Group Medicare Advantage plan (received through an employer’s retirement program) goes into effect immediately. Humana Individual Medicare Advantage plans will be out of network beginning Oct. 1, 2026. Affected patients will still have a continuity of care period through Dec. 31, 2026, allowing them to continue receiving care from us at in-network rates.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, these will be in effect:
- For Humana Individual Medicare Advantage patients: Patients can continue to receive care from the Wexner Medical Center and The James at in-network rates through Dec. 31, 2026. Patients who want to continue receiving care from us on or after Jan. 1, 2027, will need to switch their plan.
- In addition to Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment period (Oct. 15 through Dec. 7), affected patients also have a one-time opportunity to change their Medicare coverage now through Oct. 31, 2026. Selections made during this special election period are effective Nov. 1, 2026.
- For Humana Group Medicare Advantage patients: The Wexner Medical Center and The James will remain in network in 2027. Patients don’t need to change their plans to continue their care.
What patients with Humana Individual Medicare Advantage need to know
You don’t need to change physicians. If you wish to continue your care with us, you can:- Choose a new Medicare plan. We participate in Original Medicare as well as in more than 30 other Medicare Advantage plans. You can view the list of the insurance plans we accept.
- The Medicare Open Enrollment period is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. During this period, you can make changes to your Medicare plan if you wish.
- Our partner, Chapter, provides no-cost counseling to existing and new Medicare patients who need help selecting the right plan to keep their existing doctors. Call 866-571-0136 or schedule an appointment online at askchapter.org/osu.
- Continue seeing your physician using your Humana insurance through the end of 2026 even after our contract expires. Humana has stated that patients who are currently receiving treatment can continue care with their current physician through Dec. 31, 2026. This extended coverage period may help to protect access to your current physician(s) while you wait for your new Medicare plan to take effect.
- Keep all scheduled appointments, tests and procedures through Dec. 31, 2026.
Not sure what Humana plan you have? Here’s an overview of each plan:
- Humana Group Medicare Advantage: You receive your Humana Medicare Advantage plan through a current or former employer or an employer’s retirement program.
- Humana Individual Medicare Advantage: You enrolled in your Humana Medicare Advantage plan on your own, rather than through an employer or retirement program.
Still not sure which plan you have? Check your Humana insurance card or contact Humana using the phone number on the back of your card and ask whether your plan is Group Medicare Advantage or Individual Medicare Advantage.
For more information
We’re here to support you. For any other questions, call our community information line at 866-316-0476 for more information.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Humana has notified us that it’s terminating our Individual Medicare Advantage contract. This means that our services, physicians, clinicians and facilities will be out of Humana’s network beginning Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.
We understand this news may be concerning. Our priority now is to help patients understand their options so they can continue receiving the care they need with as little disruption as possible. We know how important it is for you to have access to the high-quality care, physicians and services you depend on.
To continue your care at the Wexner Medical Center and The James, you can change plans during the Medicare Open Enrollment period, Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. See a list of participating medicare plans.
We remain in network for Humana’s Medicaid and Group Medicare Advantage plans.
Humana made the decision to terminate its Individual Medicare Advantage contract with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and The James.
We’re disappointed that Humana decided to do this. Our focus now is helping patients understand their options and continue receiving care with as little disruption as possible.
We remain in network for Humana’s Medicaid and Group Medicare Advantage plans.
This change applies to Humana Individual Medicare Advantage plans.
If you’re not sure what type of Humana plan you have, see the difference below, or you can call the number on the back of your insurance card.
- Humana Group Medicare Advantage: You receive your Humana Medicare Advantage plan through a current or former employer or an employer’s retirement program.
- Humana Individual Medicare Advantage: You enrolled in your Humana Medicare Advantage plan on your own, rather than through an employer or retirement program.
The Individual Medicare Advantage termination takes effect Oct. 1, 2026. At that time, our services, physicians, clinicians and facilities will be out of Humana’s network. However, current patients can continue receiving care at in-network rates through the end of the year.
Please keep all scheduled appointments and continue receiving care as planned, as you have plenty of options for continued care after that date.
Yes. Please keep all scheduled appointments, tests and procedures.
By federal law, emergency care is always covered as in network.
We encourage you to begin exploring your options and have identified several resources to help you protect your access to care if you have an Individual Medicare Advantage plan:
- Choose a new Medicare plan. We participate in Original Medicare as well as in more than 30 other Medicare Advantage plans. You can view the list of the insurance plans we accept.
- Patients have a special one-time opportunity to change their Medicare coverage now through Oct. 31, 2026, in addition to during Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment period. Selections made during this special election period are effective Nov. 1, 2026.
- To review your options or make a change, call 1-800-MEDICARE and let them know you received notice that your provider is leaving Humana’s network. You can also visit Medicare.gov to compare plans.
- The Medicare Open Enrollment period is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. During this period, you can make changes to your Medicare plan if you wish.
- Our partner, Chapter, provides no-cost counseling to existing and new Medicare patients who need help selecting the right plan to keep their existing doctors. Call 866-571-0136 or schedule an appointment at askchapter.org/osu.
- Continue seeing your physician using your Humana insurance through the end of 2026, even after our contract expires. Humana has stated that patients who are currently receiving treatment can continue care with their current physician through Dec. 31. This extended coverage period may help to protect access to your current physician while you wait for your new Medicare plan to take effect.
- Keep all scheduled appointments, tests and procedures through Dec. 31, 2026.
If you receive your Humana Medicare Advantage plan as part of a retirement package through your employer, you can continue receiving in-network access to the Wexner Medical Center and The James.
Our priority is helping you understand your options so you can continue receiving the care you need with as little disruption as possible. We know how important it is for you to have access to the high-quality care, physicians and services you depend on. If you wish to continue care with us, there are several options available to you to change your plan during Open Enrollment if you have an Individual Medicare Advantage plan.
Chapter can help you assess your options and, in many cases, will collaborate with you as you coordinate your plan changes with your retirement plan team or administrator.
No. Continue seeing your doctor using your Humana insurance through the end of 2026, even after our contract for Humana Individual Medicare Advantage plans expires on Oct. 1. Humana has stated that patients who are currently receiving treatment can continue care with their doctors through Dec. 31. This extended coverage period may help to protect access to your physicians while you wait for your new Medicare plan to take effect.
No. You don’t need to change physicians. If you wish to continue receiving care with your current Wexner Medical Center and James physicians after Oct. 1, you have options.
We’ve identified several resources to help you protect your access to care if you have a Humana Individual Medicare Advantage plan:
- Choose a new Medicare plan. We participate in Original Medicare as well as in more than 30 other Medicare Advantage plans. You can view the list of the insurance plans we accept.
- Patients have a special one-time opportunity to change their Medicare coverage now through Oct. 31, 2026, in addition to during Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment period. Selections made during this special election period are effective Nov. 1, 2026.
- The Medicare Open Enrollment period is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. During this period, you can make changes to your Medicare plan if you wish.
- Our partner, Chapter, provides no-cost counseling to existing and new Medicare patients who need help selecting the right plan to keep their existing doctors. Call 866-571-0136 or schedule an appointment at askchapter.org/osu.
- Continue seeing your physician using your Humana insurance through the end of 2026, even after our contract expires. Humana has stated that patients who are currently receiving treatment can continue care with their current physician through Dec. 31. This extended coverage period may help to protect access to your current physician while you wait for your new Medicare plan to take effect.
- Keep all scheduled appointments, tests and procedures through Dec. 31, 2026.
Yes. By federal law, emergency care is always covered as in network. In a true emergency, you may go to any hospital, no matter if they’re in your plan’s network or not.
Humana has stated that patients who are currently receiving treatment can continue care with their physician through Dec. 31. This extended coverage period may help to protect access to your physician while you wait for your new Medicare plan to take effect.