By Feb. 15, patients at Adventist Health clinics and hospitals won\u2019t be able to see their Sant\u00e9 Health System physician, the hospital network announced.<\/p>\n
The change will affect 2,600 people in Kings and Fresno counties, said Kara Herderich-Flores, director of physician services at Sant\u00e9.<\/p>\n
Herderick-Flores said for patients needing to make changes, Sant\u00e9 will assist. She said the health plans have been notified, and members will be soon told about possible changes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 100% willing to help them. We didn\u2019t want this; we certainly want to have a contract with Adventist. We are willing to work something out with them,\u201d Herderich-Flores told GV Wire. \u201cThis is news to us. It doesn\u2019t look like they had any intent to renegotiate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adventist Health didn\u2019t respond to a request for comment by GV Wire before publication of this article. However, Adventist Health said out-of-network benefits may still be available and emergency departments are available to everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs one of the largest healthcare providers in the Central Valley, our goal is to continue providing dependable, high\u2011quality care for decades to come,\u201d the hospital network\u2019s announcement<\/a> stated. \u201cAs part of that commitment, and after careful review, Adventist Health will end its contracts with Sant\u00e9 Physicians (Sant\u00e9) effective February 15, 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n Adventist Health Largest Health Provider in Kings County<\/p>\n In Hanford, Adventist Health operates the only full-service hospital in Kings County. The network also operates dozens of clinics in the region. Throughout the area, Sant\u00e9 operates a variety of plans, including HMOs, PPOs, Medi-Cal, and Medicare Advantage.<\/p>\n Those with HMOs, Medi-Cal, or Medicare Advantage through Sant\u00e9 will likely have to switch their plans or travel to Fresno to see specialists or primary care physicians, the Adventist Health release stated.<\/p>\n PPOs typically allow out-of-network providers, though often at a high cost.<\/p>\n Social media groups posted the announcements in local channels.<\/p>\n