Samaritan Health has announced that it will not offer the Samaritan Advantage Medicare Plan in 2026.
Also called “Medicare Part C, a Medicare Advantage plan is a private health plan option that provides recipients with additional coverage not included in original Medicare Part A and B benefits, such as prescription drugs, dental, vision and health wellness coverage.
The cost of the plans vary, but average about $17 per month, on top of the monthly Medicare Part B premium, which costs $185 this year for most people, according to Medicare.gov.
In letters sent to Samaritan Medicare Advantage subscribers earlier this month, the company said that those losing the Advantage coverage through Samaritan could buy Medigap policies, which cover people who have Medicare Part A and B but not Medicare Advantage.
Samaritan Health Plans has not been immune to nationwide challenges in health care,” Bruce Butler, CEO of Samaritan Health Plans, said in response to an inquiry from The New Era.
He said that the organization is cutting the Advantage option as part of its evaluation of “multiple options to ensure sustainability for the long term.”
The company recommends that anyone shopping for a Medicare plan should visit Medicare.gov or refer to the “Medicare & You” handbook for a list of Medicare health and prescription drug plans in the area. The handbook can be found at www.medicare.gov/medicare-and-you.
They can also reach out to Senior Health Insurance Benefit Assistance Program (SHIBA) at 800-722-4134 or TTY 711 or visit Shiba.oregon.gov.
For a list of plans Samaritan health care providers are in network with, visit samhealth.org/InsuranceBilling.