Ascension will no longer be offering health insurance plans to Texans starting on January 1, 2025. Ascension operates hospitals in various U.S. states, including several in Central Texas, and also offers insurance plans on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace under the banner Ascension Personalized Care. These plans are provided through U.S. Health and Life Insurance Company, which is owned by Ascension. However, policyholders in Texas have received notices this week stating that Ascension Personalized Care coverage will no longer be available after the current year.
A spokesperson for Ascension mentioned that the decision to end Ascension Personalized Care coverage in Texas was not connected to the ransomware attack that affected the health care system earlier in the year. The spokesperson did not immediately provide a reason for the change. Previous reports indicated that the ransomware attack had led to issues with billing and claims processing for Ascension Personalized Care plans.
Representatives from Ascension did not confirm whether policyholders in states other than Texas would also lose their coverage. Texans who are currently enrolled in Ascension Personalized Care will have the opportunity to enroll in a new insurance plan during the 2025 Open Enrollment period, which begins in November.
According to a representative from the Texas Department of Insurance, U.S. Health and Life Insurance Company filed a withdrawal plan in April, notifying the state agency that its health plans would be ending on December 31. The representative advised those who receive a notice of nonrenewal to begin researching other health plans right away and make a selection before their current coverage ends.