The Adventist Health Hanford emergency entrance is seen in this photo. Physicians with Adventist Health's Central California Network will no longer be in network for HMO patients through Sante Community Physicians as of Feb. 15 without a new deal.

Despite announcing a Feb. 15 termination date for its partnership with Santé Community Physicians, Adventist Health says negotiations remain active and both parties hope to reach an agreement that would preserve patient coverage.

Kiyoshi Tomono, partnership executive with Adventist Health’s Central California Network, said negotiations have been underway since last year and both sides remain committed to avoiding any lapse in coverage for patients.

“We are very optimistic that we will be able to reach an agreement with Santé,” Tomono said. “Negotiations are ongoing, and both sides are willing to come to the table and talk. This is not something that feels out of the realm of possibilities.”

The potential split would affect HMO insurance coverage for patients across Fresno and Kings counties who see Adventist Health physicians through the Santé network. Patients with HMO plans — including those through UnitedHealthcare, Blue Shield and Blue Cross — would need to find new primary care providers if no deal is reached.

Santé Community Physicians is an independent physician association that manages provider networks for insurance companies. With more than 1,900 providers across Fresno, Madera and Kings counties, Santé serves as an intermediary between health insurance plans and physician groups. Adventist Health Physician Network includes more than 450 providers across Kings and Fresno counties.

While Santé has not responded to requests for comment, Tomono said Adventist notified Santé of its intention to negotiate a new contract last year, citing financial pressures and the organization’s mission to sustain health care access in the Valley.

“We’re a faith-based, nonprofit health care provider operating in one of the most challenging health care environments in California,” Tomono said. “Our responsibility is to make sure our mission is sustainable so we can continue to deliver care — even in communities where others may not be able or willing to.”

Tomono acknowledged growing concern among patients as the February deadline approaches.

“I totally empathize with patients who have built a trusted relationship with a provider for 10 or 20 years,” Tomono said. “We are motivated to make sure those patients can continue to see the providers they know, and I would assume Santé is equally motivated.”

Guidance for affected patients

Tomono said Adventist has sent letters to patients and is advising anyone with questions to contact their health plan directly using the customer service number on the back of their insurance card.

“There are different situations for HMO and PPO plans, Medi-Cal and Medicare Advantage,” Tomono said. “Everyone’s coverage is structured differently, so the best thing people can do right now is call their health plan and ask how their coverage would be affected if Adventist becomes out-of-network.”

Some patients, including those receiving pregnancy or cancer care, may qualify for continuity-of-care protections, allowing them to continue treatment with existing providers despite network changes.

The Medicare Advantage open-enrollment period runs through March 31, providing some patients the option to switch into plans that include Adventist providers. Additionally, “qualifying life events” such as marriage or childbirth can open enrollment windows for plan changes.

Emergency services will remain accessible regardless of insurance status.

What comes next

Tomono said that while a specific deadline for resolution is not set, talks have not stalled despite concerns spreading on social media about the possible termination.

“From what I am hearing from our negotiating team, both sides are actively engaged,” he said. “We would love nothing more than to have this settled before February 15.”

The Santé network exit would mark the second major insurance network change for Adventist Health in recent months. In late 2024, Adventist Health ended its contract with Visalia’s Key Medical Group, effective Jan. 1, 2025. That change affected patients with Humana Medicare Advantage plans.