Overview of the Agreement
Humana and CommonSpirit Health have finalized a national, three-year Medicare Advantage agreement that brings key markets back into network for Humana MA members. The deal covers services, facilities, and providers across the health system’s multiple regions. CommonSpirit Health, headquartered in Chicago, announced the agreement on March 23, 2025, marking the end of nearly a year of negotiations.
This agreement is significant because it takes a broad, unified approach. Rather than pursuing separate, market-by-market contracts, both organizations chose to negotiate a single, comprehensive arrangement covering all CommonSpirit markets nationwide. This strategy reflects a growing trend in payer-provider contracting, where health systems prefer consolidated deals over fragmented agreements.
Why Colorado and Texas Were Left Out
A Split That Began in 2025
CommonSpirit’s Colorado and Texas markets parted ways with Humana’s Medicare Advantage network at the start of 2025. The separation created gaps in coverage for Humana MA members who relied on CommonSpirit facilities in those states. However, the newly signed agreement restores in-network access for those patients.
One Contract for All Markets
Instead of reopening separate negotiations for Colorado and Texas, CommonSpirit opted to include them in a wider, national deal with Humana. A spokesperson for the health system confirmed this approach. This method streamlines contracting and gives both parties more consistent terms across all regions. Additionally, it reduces the administrative burden of managing multiple, time-limited contracts that require frequent renewals.
CommonSpirit’s Broader Network Footprint
12 Hospitals in Colorado Alone
CommonSpirit operates 12 hospitals across Colorado, making it one of the state’s most prominent health systems. Its presence in Texas is equally notable, rooted in the 2019 foundational merger between Englewood, Colorado-based Catholic Health Initiatives and San Francisco-based Dignity Health. That merger brought CHI’s Houston-based St. Luke’s Health Texas under the CommonSpirit umbrella as well.
A 24-State Healthcare Presence
Today, CommonSpirit maintains a footprint across 24 states. Its scale makes it a critical partner for national payers like Humana, especially in markets where patients depend heavily on its hospitals and provider network. Consequently, agreements of this scope carry significant weight for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries nationwide.
Why Sustainable MA Terms Matter in 2025
Health Systems and MA Plans at a Crossroads
The healthcare industry witnessed a notable trend in 2025: at least 40 health systems across the United States dropped agreements with Medicare Advantage plans. This wave of terminations reflected growing frustration among providers over reimbursement rates, prior authorization delays, and administrative costs tied to MA contracts.
CommonSpirit’s Commitment to Sustainable Terms
Against this backdrop, CommonSpirit’s decision to negotiate a multi-year national deal with Humana sends a clear signal. The health system stated its commitment to achieving “sustainable terms” with Medicare Advantage plans. Moreover, locking in a three-year agreement provides financial predictability for CommonSpirit and continuity of care for Humana members.
What This Means for Medicare Advantage Members
Restored Access to In-Network Providers
For Humana Medicare Advantage members in Colorado and Texas, this agreement directly restores access to CommonSpirit facilities and providers. Prior to the deal, patients faced the challenge of seeking care outside their usual network, often at higher out-of-pocket costs. Now, they can return to trusted providers without that financial burden.
Uninterrupted Care as the Priority
Caraline Coats, Humana’s Senior Vice President of Provider Strategy and Operations, emphasized member access as the core motivation. “Humana is committed to ensuring our members have uninterrupted access to the care and providers they rely on most,” Coats said. This statement underscores the human impact of payer-provider contract disputes and the urgency of resolving them.
Looking Ahead: Payer-Provider Collaboration
A Model for Future Negotiations
The Humana-CommonSpirit deal could serve as a model for how large health systems and national payers can resolve network disputes. By choosing a long-term, nationally scoped agreement, both organizations have prioritized stability over short-term gains. Furthermore, this approach reduces the recurring disruption that patients experience when contracts lapse.
Industry Dialogue Continues
Conversations around value-based care, regulatory changes, and cost management strategies remain central to the payer-provider relationship. At the upcoming Becker’s 5th Annual Fall Payer Issues Roundtable, scheduled for November 17–19 in Chicago, industry leaders will gather to address these very challenges. The Humana-CommonSpirit agreement will likely be a reference point in those discussions, demonstrating what successful collaboration looks like in a difficult contracting environment.
