United Healthcare Medicare Advantage and Clark Fork Valley Hospital

It has come to our attention that individuals with United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plans have received notices in the mail dated Oct. 2, 2025, informing them that United Healthcare will no longer offer their Medicare Advantage health plan(s) in Sanders County beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Please note that Clark Fork Valley Hospital has not changed its contract status with United Healthcare. We continue to accept United Healthcare Medicare and Commercial coverage, and we are a fully participating provider with that payer. However, it has been well-publicized that United Healthcare is exiting Medicare Advantage Plans in 109 US counties in 2026. This is a business decision on the part of United Healthcare and has nothing to do with Clark Fork Valley Hospital.

Insurance companies are in business to make a profit, and it is not unusual for them to evaluate their business and make resulting decisions to enter and exit markets based on their profitability. Medicare has rules that regulate how and when the insurer must inform their subscribers when making such decisions.

If you are currently covered by a United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan and you have received the notice from them, you have until December 31 to choose another plan to ensure that coverage is in place January 1, 2026. CFVH has contracts with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana and Humana for Medicare Advantage and we have no information that either of these payers are leaving Sanders County. You can also choose traditional Medicare coverage.

If you have questions about your Medicare coverage options, the Sanders County Council on Aging has counselors who are certified to assist clients with questions about Medicare and Social Security. They can be reached locally at 406-741-2343.

Carla Neiman is CFO of Clark Fork Valley Hospital.