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Adventist Health Physician Network will end its contract with Santé Community Physicians on Feb. 15, a move that will affect health maintenance organization (HMO) insurance coverage for patients across Fresno and Kings counties.

The decision means patients with HMO plans — including those through United Healthcare, Blue Shield and Blue Cross — who currently see Adventist Health physicians through the Santé network will need to find new primary care providers.

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. When HMO patients select Santé as their medical group, they gain access to doctors Santé has under contract, including Adventist Health physicians.

By terminating its agreement with Santé, Adventist Health Physician Network — which includes more than 450 providers across Kings and Fresno counties — will no longer be available to patients whose HMO plans are managed through Santé.

Adventist Health confirmed the decision in a written update, stating that it would not renew its physician network and Reedley clinic agreements with Santé. The organization said the goal is to “simplify how patients access our clinics” and strengthen direct relationships with insurers.

The change affects patients enrolled in HMO plans as well as some Medi-Cal and Medicare Advantage plans managed through Santé.

Adventist Health patients are urged to contact their insurance providers directly to determine how the change affects their coverage, including network status, benefits and out-of-pocket costs.

“You’re covered in-network with us through February 14, 2026,” the Adventist update stated, noting that emergency services will remain accessible regardless of insurance status.

Adventist Health also highlighted “Continuity of Care” protections for patients receiving active or complex treatments, including pregnancy-related care, cancer services and major surgeries, depending on plan rules.

Santé Physicians separately notified members that Adventist Health Physician Network and Adventist Health Community Care providers had terminated their provider agreements, effective Feb. 15.

“The Health Plans have been notified and will begin communicating this change to their members and reassigning members to other Santé-contracted Primary Care providers,” the Santé notice stated.

The notice advised members seeking specialty care to consult the Santé Provider Directory for available specialists.

“It’s unfortunate that the Adventist Health termination will cause some challenges for our Santé Members and physicians in the South Valley,” the notice added, “but rest assured that Santé remains committed to continue to provide excellent care.”

News of the change circulated widely on social media among patients and health care workers, with many expressing concern over potential coverage loss and physician reassignment. Comments in public Facebook groups showed that many were surprised by the announcement.

The Santé network exit marks 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, which had contracted with Key Medical Group to manage its provider network in the region.