Greenville, October 8, 2025
News Summary
Bon Secours has reached an impasse in contract negotiations with Humana, potentially affecting over 16,000 patients in Greenville. If no agreement is made by January 1, 2026, many patients may become out-of-network. Though emergency services will still be available in-network, Bon Secours urges patients to review their options during the upcoming Medicare and Medicaid enrollment period. The disagreement raises concerns over reimbursement rates that Bon Secours claims are not sufficient to cover operational costs.
Greenville – Bon Secours announced on October 7, 2025, an impasse in contract negotiations with Humana, which could significantly impact over 16,000 patients in the area. If a new agreement is not reached by January 1, 2026, patients enrolled in Humana’s Medicare Advantage and Managed Medicaid programs may be considered out-of-network. This potential change threatens the healthcare coverage for approximately 16,245 patients receiving care from Bon Secours facilities in Greenville.
Despite the ongoing discussions, the contract dispute will not affect the operations of Bon Secours St. Francis Downtown and Bon Secours St. Francis Eastside hospitals. Importantly, access to emergency services will still be provided in-network, regardless of the network status between Bon Secours and Humana.
Bon Secours has expressed concerns surrounding the terms proposed by Humana, stating that the payment rates do not sufficiently cover the costs associated with doctors, nurses, and caregivers. Matt Caldwell, Bon Secours Market President, has highlighted the challenges that patients relying on Managed Medicaid and Medicare Advantage may face should the negotiations fail, indicating that they could encounter significant barriers to care as a result.
The looming contract deadline coincides with the enrollment period for Medicare and Medicaid plans, which opens on October 15, 2025. Bon Secours is urging affected patients to explore their coverage options as they attempt to navigate the potential impact of the dispute on their healthcare services.
In response to the situation, Humana has stated it is negotiating in good faith to resolve the contract dispute and will provide members with clear guidance should no agreement be reached by the designated deadline.
The current negotiation standoff is not unprecedented, as Bon Secours has experienced previous disputes with insurance providers. For instance, a prior negotiation with UnitedHealthcare resulted in a last-minute agreement that affected around 30,000 patients. Additionally, another recent dispute between UnitedHealthcare and Prisma Health impacted approximately 58,000 patients for six months before a retroactive deal was ultimately reached.
With the ongoing negotiations, Bon Secours remains focused on establishing sustainable reimbursement rates that will allow them to maintain the quality and accessibility of care for their patients.
Impacts and Considerations for Patients
Patients currently enrolled in Humana’s Medicare Advantage and Managed Medicaid programs may need to prepare for a potential change in network status after the contract negotiation deadline. It is critical for these patients to assess their options and stay informed about updates from both Bon Secours and Humana, particularly as the enrollment window for Medicare and Medicaid approaches.
Background Context
The ongoing dispute has prompted discussions within the healthcare community about reimbursement rates and their implications for patient care. Providers often cite the increasing operational costs and economic pressures faced by healthcare systems, which can lead to disputes over contract terms if adequate payment structures cannot be established.
Contact Information for More Details
Patients looking for more information about their specific situations are encouraged to reach out to Bon Secours or Humana directly. Updates will continue to be provided by both organizations as negotiations progress.
FAQs
What is the main issue regarding the contract dispute?
Bon Secours announced on October 7, 2025, an impasse in contract negotiations with Humana, which could significantly impact over 16,000 patients in the area.
How many patients are affected by this dispute?
Approximately 16,245 patients could be affected by this dispute in Greenville.
What happens if no deal is reached by January 1, 2026?
If a deal is not reached by January 1, 2026, patients on Humana’s Medicare Advantage and Managed Medicaid programs may be considered out-of-network.
Will emergency services be affected?
Access to emergency services will continue to be considered in-network regardless of network status.
What is Bon Secours’s primary concern in this dispute?
Bon Secours claims that Humana does not provide sufficient payment rates to cover doctors, nurses, and caregivers’ costs.
What should affected patients do during open enrollment?
Bon Secours is encouraging affected patients to explore coverage options as enrollment for Medicare and Medicaid plans for the next year opens on October 15, 2025.
Key Features of the Dispute
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Disputed Entities | Bon Secours and Humana |
| Patient Impact | Approximately 16,245 patients may be affected |
| Contract Deadline | January 1, 2026 |
| Emergency Services Status | Will remain in-network regardless of the dispute |
| Open Enrollment Date | Begins October 15, 2025 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Bon Secours Alerts Humana Patients
- Post and Courier: Bon Secours-Humana Insurance Contract Dispute
- Greenville Business Magazine: UnitedHealthcare and Bon Secours Agreement
- WYFF4: Bon Secours UnitedHealthcare Contract Dispute
- Greenville Business Magazine: Change in Health Insurance for Bon Secours Patients
- Wikipedia: Healthcare in the United States
- Google Search: Bon Secours Humana contract dispute
- Google Scholar: Bon Secours healthcare
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Health Insurance
- Google News: Bon Secours insurance
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
