Health Alliance and FirstCarolinaCare to exit Medicare Advantage market after 2025

Urbana, Ill. – Following prior announcements, Carle Health shared today they have concluded their comprehensive strategic and financial analysis and that Health Alliance and FirstCarolinaCare will exit all lines of business—including Medicare Advantage—by Dec. 31, 2025. This decision reflects the challenges facing provider-owned health plans in the current insurance and economic environment.

Coverage for current Medicare Advantage members remains unchanged through the end of the year, and Health Alliance/FirstCarolinaCare are focused on ensuring that member support and services continue uninterrupted.

“Our decision to exit the insurance market comes at a time when market dynamics and plan designs have made it increasingly difficult for provider-owned health plans to remain sustainable,” said James C. Leonard, MD, Carle Health president and chief executive officer. “We’re proud of the service our health plans have delivered for decades, and especially proud to have connected people to the care they’ve trusted through every stage of life. That legacy continues as Carle Health focuses our efforts on delivering exceptional care and positioning Carle Health for long-term strength and impact.”

Carle Health maintains relationships with various other Medicare Advantage plans. When it’s time to explore new coverage options, ChooseCarleHealth.org is available as a resource to help patients stay connected to their trusted care teams.

About Health Alliance

Health Alliance™ is a leading provider-driven health insurance plan based in Champaign, IL, serving Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Ohio. Established in 1980, Health Alliance is the largest health insurer in downstate Illinois and is part of Carle Health, an integrated system of healthcare services, which includes an eight-hospital system, multispecialty physician groups, as well as Carle Illinois College of Medicine and Stephens Family Clinical Research Institute.

In Illinois, Health Alliance offers individual and employer group plans, individual and group Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Supplement plans. In Indiana and Iowa, Health Alliance offers employer group plans and Medicare Advantage plans. And in Ohio, Health Alliance offers Medicare Advantage plans. For more information visit HealthAlliance.org.

About FirstCarolinaCare

Based in Southern Pines, North Carolina, FirstCarolinaCare (FCC) is a not-for-profit insurance company, a jointly owned subsidiary of North Carolina-based FirstHealth of the Carolinas and Illinois-based Carle Health. FCC partners with Health Alliance for administration of its health plans. FCC offers Medicare Advantage and employer group plans. For more information visit FirstCarolinaCare.com.

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