What AdventHealth is and how it operates

AdventHealth is a for-profit health system owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, operating hospitals, clinics, and urgent care centers across the United States. As of 2024, AdventHealth runs facilities in Florida, Georgia, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, North Carolina, and several other states. The system employs its own doctors, nurses, and support staff at each location.

AdventHealth operates differently from a health insurance company. It does not sell insurance plans directly to individuals. Instead, it is a network of hospitals and clinics where you receive care. If you have insurance through your employer, Medicare, Medicaid, or a plan you bought yourself, you can use that insurance at AdventHealth facilities in your area — provided your plan includes AdventHealth in its network.

The system also runs its own employer health plans for people who work at AdventHealth locations. These plans cover employees and their families, but you cannot purchase them as an individual consumer.

Key Takeaways

  • AdventHealth is a hospital and clinic network, not an insurance seller, so you use your existing insurance when you visit an AdventHealth facility.
  • Whether AdventHealth is in your insurance network depends on your specific plan and where you live — you must check with your insurance company or review your plan documents.
  • AdventHealth operates employer health plans only for its own workers and their families, not for the general public.
  • If you do not have insurance, AdventHealth locations have financial counselors who can discuss payment options and programs for uninsured patients.

How to learn about AdventHealth is in your insurance network

Your insurance plan determines whether you can see doctors and use hospitals within the AdventHealth network. Most major insurance companies — including UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, and others — contract with AdventHealth in states where both operate, but not all plans from these companies include AdventHealth.

To check whether AdventHealth is in your network, start with your insurance card or the insurance company's website. Look for the plan's provider directory or network map. Search for the specific AdventHealth hospital or clinic you want to visit. If it appears in the directory, it is in your network. If you cannot find it online, call the customer service number on your insurance card and ask directly whether the AdventHealth location near you is covered.

If AdventHealth is not in your network, you can still receive care there, but you will likely pay a higher out-of-pocket cost because the facility is considered out-of-network. Some insurance plans do not cover out-of-network care at all except in emergencies.

What to expect when you visit an AdventHealth facility

When you arrive at an AdventHealth hospital, emergency department, or clinic, you will check in and provide your insurance information. The staff will verify your coverage and explain what your plan covers for that visit. If you have a copay, coinsurance, or deductible, the facility will tell you what you owe.

AdventHealth facilities use electronic health records across their network, which means your medical history, test results, and doctor's notes are available to other AdventHealth providers if you see multiple doctors within the system. This can reduce duplicate testing and help different doctors coordinate your care.

After your visit, AdventHealth will send a bill to your insurance company. Your insurance company pays its share, and you receive a separate bill for any remaining balance you owe. If you disagree with a charge or believe it was billed incorrectly, you can contact AdventHealth's billing department or ask your insurance company to review the claim.

AdventHealth's employer health plans for workers

AdventHealth offers health insurance plans to people employed by AdventHealth and their family members. These plans are self-funded, meaning AdventHealth itself pays the medical claims rather than purchasing insurance from another company. Employees can choose from several plan options, typically including a high-deductible health plan paired with a health savings account (HSA), a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan, and sometimes a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan.

The specific plans available, their costs, and their coverage details vary by location and change each year during open enrollment. If you work at AdventHealth, your human resources or benefits department will provide enrollment materials and explain which plans are offered to you.

These employer plans are not open to the public. You cannot purchase them unless you are employed by AdventHealth or are a family member of an AdventHealth employee.

Financial information if you are uninsured or underinsured

AdventHealth locations have financial counselors available to discuss payment options if you do not have insurance or if your insurance does not cover the full cost of your care. You can ask to speak with a financial counselor before or after your visit. They can explain what you owe, discuss payment plans, and tell you about programs that may help reduce your bill.

Many AdventHealth facilities participate in charity care programs, which reduce or forgive bills for patients whose income falls below certain thresholds. The income limits and the amount of information vary by location. To learn what programs are available at the specific AdventHealth facility you visited or plan to visit, contact that facility's billing or financial information department directly.

You can also ask whether the facility offers financial hardship programs or payment plans that let you pay your bill over time rather than in one lump sum.

How AdventHealth differs from insurance companies

AdventHealth is a provider of care, not an insurer. It owns and operates the buildings, hires the doctors and nurses, and delivers the medical services. An insurance company, by contrast, collects premiums from members and pays providers like AdventHealth when members receive care.

This distinction matters because it affects where your money goes and how decisions are made. When you pay a premium to an insurance company, that money goes to the insurer, which then negotiates rates with providers like AdventHealth. When you pay a bill to AdventHealth, that money goes to the health system to cover the cost of the building, staff, equipment, and care you received.

If you want to buy health insurance, you would purchase a plan from an insurance company — not from AdventHealth. If you want to receive medical care, you would visit an AdventHealth facility (or another hospital or clinic) and use your insurance to pay for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy health insurance directly from AdventHealth?

No. AdventHealth is a hospital and clinic network, not an insurance company. You cannot purchase an individual health insurance plan from AdventHealth. If you need health insurance, you can buy a plan through your employer, the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, or Medicare, depending on your situation.

What if I go to an AdventHealth hospital and my insurance is not accepted?

If AdventHealth is out-of-network for your plan, you can still receive care, but you will pay a higher out-of-pocket cost. Contact AdventHealth's financial counselor before or after your visit to discuss payment options, payment plans, or financial information programs that may reduce what you owe.

Will my medical records follow me if I see different doctors at different AdventHealth locations?

Yes. AdventHealth uses a shared electronic health record system across its network, so your medical history, test results, and notes are available to other AdventHealth providers. This helps different doctors see your full medical picture and avoid repeating tests.

Do I need to live in a specific state to use AdventHealth?

No, but AdventHealth only operates in certain states: Florida, Georgia, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, North Carolina, and a few others. If you live in a state where AdventHealth does not have facilities, you cannot use its hospitals or clinics. Check AdventHealth's website to see which locations are near you.

What happens if I receive a bill I think is wrong?

Contact AdventHealth's billing department and explain the error. You can also ask your insurance company to review the claim if you believe the charge is incorrect or should have been covered differently. Keep copies of all bills and correspondence in case you need to dispute the charge later.