A policy change at Parkview Hospital has left a pregnant woman midway through her pregnancy without the prenatal care she had been receiving for weeks. Kiersten Abbott, who was expecting her first child, was devastated when she showed up for her 20-week appointment and was denied care due to her insurance coverage no longer being accepted at Parkview.
Shock and Stress for Expectant Mother
Kiersten had been undergoing regular prenatal appointments when she was informed that she could no longer receive care at Parkview because her health plan did not include the hospital as part of its network. “I had an absolute mental breakdown,” said Kiersten. She explained that she has a certain antibody in her blood that requires her to receive a RhoGAM shot to ensure a safe delivery, making the situation even more stressful.
Switching healthcare providers midway through her pregnancy has been an overwhelming process for Kiersten, especially as this is her first pregnancy. “Switching providers is…kind of a hard thing for me, especially because this is my first baby. So, I’m just switching everything right in the middle of my pregnancy,” she said.
Parkview’s Policy Change
Parkview Hospital issued a statement explaining the policy change, which affects patients with health coverage that does not include Parkview as a contracted provider. “Last year, Parkview announced a phased approach to stop scheduling care for patients with health coverage that does not include Parkview as a network or contracted provider,” the statement read. The hospital noted that the change was meant to reduce the financial burden on patients whose insurance does not fully cover their care.
The policy change, which began in April 2024, entered its final phase on January 1, 2025, affecting the Parkview Physicians Group practices. However, Kiersten, who was not pregnant at the time the change was communicated, says she was never notified of the shift in policy.
Finding Alternative Care
Fortunately for Kiersten and her husband, they were able to find care at a smaller clinic in Fort Wayne. Despite the inconvenience and stress caused by the sudden change, they are now receiving the care they need for the remainder of the pregnancy.
This case highlights the challenges that can arise when changes in healthcare policies are not communicated effectively to patients, leaving them to scramble for alternatives when they need care the most.