Centene Corporation is one of America’s largest administrators for Medicaid, Medicare, and Health Insurance Exchanges (HIX). Centene notes on their website that they are “the largest Medicaid managed care organization and the longest-running carrier on the Marketplace.” Centene should be focused on providing Medicaid coverage and healthcare access to your state’s most vulnerable communities.
Centene has sent a termination letter to Tenet Healthcare, ending in-network access to Tenet hospitals and providers for patients who receive insurance coverage through Centene’s Health Insurance Exchange (HIX), Medicare Advantage, and Managed Medicaid plans.
If a fair agreement is not reached in time, patients will lose in-network access to Tenet hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and providers effective January 1, 2027.
This marks the second time in four years that Centene has threatened to end Tenet’s contract and restrict patients’ access to their trusted hospitals and providers. Centene also proposed contract terms that would slash reimbursement rates to below-market levels for several services, which could cause serious interruptions to care delivery.
We are fighting for our patients – the most vulnerable Americans who stand to lose access to the hospitals and providers they trust.
Contracts between insurance companies like Centene and healthcare providers like Tenet must be renewed regularly. Centene has sent a termination letter to Tenet Healthcare, ending in-network access to Tenet hospitals and providers for patients who receive insurance coverage through Centene’s Health Insurance Exchange (HIX), Medicare Advantage, and Managed Medicaid plans effective January 1, 2027.
If Tenet is removed from Centene’s network, you may have fewer choices for your medical care. Our hospitals will remain available for emergency care needs.
Depending on where you live, you and your family could lose in-network access to your nearest and trusted hospitals and healthcare providers. Patients with heart, trauma, stroke and epileptic conditions, as well as those who need rehabilitation or newborn ICU facilities for their children would also lose access to the local, specialized care that they need.
Millions of vulnerable Americans could lose in-network access to their trusted healthcare facilities – often the only one nearby, particularly in rural communities. See below for the full list of impacted communities and facilities:
In some cases, Centene may allow patients to continue receiving care from Tenet providers for a limited time if you are undergoing certain types of medical treatment. This is called “continuity of care” and is determined by Centene.
Please note: Centene provides Managed Medicaid plans through subsidiaries, local health plan brands across states. You can find more information on which subsidiary they operate under in your state here. Centene provides Medicare Advantage plans through Wellcare and Health Insurance Exchange plans through Ambetter Health.
We recommend you contact your relevant Centene subsidiary to discuss your individual situation at the customer service number located on the back of your health insurance card, or contact your state’s Managed Care administrator.
No. Appointments scheduled for now through December 31, 2026, will still be covered.
Tenet is committed to having good-faith negotiations to reach a fair contract renewal and maintain access to our hospitals and providers for patients who receive insurance coverage through Centene’s Health Insurance Exchange (HIX), Medicare Advantage, and Managed Medicaid plans. Centene can stop this by rescinding their termination letter and negotiating an agreement with Tenet that will allow Centene members to continue accessing Tenet hospitals and providers on an in-network basis after January 1, 2027.
Contact Centene to keep access to Tenet hospitals and healthcare providers. Write or call their leadership.
Visit www.KeepYourHealthcareAccess.com for more information and updates.
We will continue to keep patients informed through letters, emails and updates on our website.
Choosing a health plan is an important decision that should be made carefully. You can consider switching your insurance plan to maintain in-network access to Tenet providers you trust. Tenet remains in-network with all other major health plans. Search for Health Insurance Exchange (HIX), Medicare Advantage, and Managed Medicaid plans that include Tenet hospitals and providers in their networks.
Note: Special Enrollment Periods may be available if you experience a specific Qualifying Life Event.
How to Switch Plans:
- Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) Plans: Go to HealthCare.gov or your state’s health insurance marketplace to make changes to your plan.
- Medicare Advantage Plans: Enrolling in a new plan automatically cancels your previous Medicare Advantage coverage. You can change your plan by:
- Using the Medicare Plan Finder on medicare.gov to compare and enroll in plans directly.
- Calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for 24/7 assistance.
- Contacting your new preferred insurance provider directly to enroll.
- State Medicaid Plans: Contact your state’s Medicaid servicer for more information about how to change your plan.
If we reach an agreement with Centene, we would work to restore access to Tenet hospitals and healthcare providers as quickly as possible and communicate timing to all patients.
We will continue to provide regular updates throughout the negotiation process.