St. Luke’s to Launch Medicare Advantage Plan in 2027

The Idaho health system plans to offer new Medicare Advantage coverage across seven counties in 2027.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Healthcare

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St. Luke’s Health System will launch a new Medicare Advantage plan in Idaho in 2027 to lower patient out-of-pocket healthcare costs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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St. Luke’s Health System will begin offering a Medicare Advantage plan in Idaho starting in 2027. This move comes as Saint Alphonsus Health System plans to exit the state’s Medicare Advantage market.

Why it matters

The health system aims to remove financial barriers to patient care through its new MA-PD HMO plan. This expansion occurs as several national insurers, including UnitedHealthcare and Humana, are reducing their Medicare Advantage footprint in Idaho.

St. Luke's Health Plan currently serves 65,000 members across its various health products. The upcoming Medicare Advantage plan will be available in seven Idaho counties and features $0 copays for primary, mental health, and preventive care.

The players

St. Luke's Health System

This is a prominent non-profit health system headquartered in Boise that provides care across Idaho.

Saint Alphonsus Health System

This is a regional health system that operates multiple facilities and is exiting the Idaho Medicare Advantage market.

The details

The Medicare Advantage plan will operate as an MA-PD HMO and will be available in counties where St. Luke's and its partners have established provider networks. The program is designed to lower out-of-pocket costs for residents by eliminating copays for core services.

Timeline

  1. St. Luke's launched its initial health plan products in 2023.

  2. The health plan reached a total of 65,000 members in 2026.

  3. St. Luke's will begin offering Medicare Advantage plans in 2027.

Market Landscape

St. Luke's expansion directly offsets the exit of other major health entities from the state's Medicare Advantage market. This move allows the local system to capture market share left behind by national insurers like UnitedHealthcare and Humana.

Residents in the seven eligible counties will have access to a new insurance option featuring $0 copays for primary and preventive care. This may provide a stable coverage alternative for patients impacted by other insurers leaving the Idaho market.

The takeaway

Patients considering their options for 2027 should monitor the specific county eligibility for the new plan as it becomes available. This development highlights a shift toward local providers stepping in to manage Medicare Advantage coverage as national players reduce their presence.

Further reading

For more information on regional coverage, visit the Idaho Healthcare section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis.

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