NEWS RELEASES

Portland, Ore., October 23, 2026 — Legacy Health announced today that it will end its contract with Humana Medicare Advantage, effective Dec. 31, 2026. 

The decision follows a comprehensive review of Legacy's payer agreements and reflects the organization's ongoing efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the care it provides across Oregon and Southwest Washington. 

"We understand that changes involving health insurance can be concerning for patients, especially those who have longstanding relationships with their healthcare providers," said Merrin Permut, Vice President, Chief Population Health Officer. "Our goal is to give patients as much advance notice as possible so they have time to understand their options and make informed decisions about their coverage." 

Patients enrolled in Humana Medicare Advantage plans will continue to have in-network access to Legacy facilities and providers through Dec. 31, 2026. 

Patients who wish to continue receiving care from Legacy providers after Dec. 31, 2026 may choose to enroll in Original Medicare or in a different Medicare Advantage plan for 2027 that includes Legacy Health in its provider network. Patients who choose to remain with Humana Medicare Advantage may need to transition to other providers in Humana's network. 

Legacy is providing advance notice because Medicare beneficiaries have limited opportunities to change coverage. Medicare Open Enrollment runs annually from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2026, and patients can use that period to evaluate available plans and decide which one best meets their healthcare needs. 

Commitment to patients and communities

Legacy emphasized that the decision was not made lightly. 

Like healthcare systems nationwide, Legacy faces rising costs associated with delivering care, including workforce expenses, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, technology investments and regulatory requirements. At the same time, reimbursement has not kept pace with the actual cost of providing care. 

"Healthcare organizations must continuously balance their mission to serve patients with the financial realities required to sustain that mission," said Permut. "While these decisions are difficult, they are necessary to ensure Legacy can continue investing in our people, our facilities, our services and the care our communities rely on. Remaining financially strong today is essential to fulfilling our promise to be Here for Good." 

Resources for patients 

Patients interested in learning which insurance plans include Legacy providers and facilities can visit Legacyhealth.org/insurance.  

Patients in Oregon and Washington may also seek free, unbiased Medicare counseling through the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program. 

Legacy will continue to communicate directly with affected patients and provide information and resources to help support a smooth transition.