Updated March 12, 2024

Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) closures: Important information for our members

Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) recently notified UnitedHealthcare that it plans to close two hospitals and its Prevea Health clinical locations in western Wisconsin. We know that the care HSHS provided was not only important but personal to you and your family. We also know that it can be difficult when a health system closes a hospital or facility that you rely on. To help our members stay fully informed during this difficult situation, we’ve compiled some helpful information.

  • HSHS will close two hospitals – St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls, Wis. and Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Wis. – on March 22, 2024.  
  • HSHS will also close its Prevea Health locations in western Wisconsin by April 21. Prevea Health western Wisconsin residency clinics and its UW Stout location are anticipated to provide services through June 30, 2024.
  • Other HSHS hospitals, as well as Prevea Health’s facilities in central and eastern Wisconsin, are not affected and will continue to operate as normal.
  • UnitedHealthcare members who had a primary care physician (PCP) at the affected clinical locations will be automatically reassigned a new PCP at a nearby alternative in-network location, which will be noted on a letter we will send you in the mail. You will have the ability to change your PCP if you wish by calling the number on the back of your health plan ID card.
  • If you have additional questions about the closures, call the number on your health plan ID card. Our customer care teams are ready to assist you. HSHS has also created a website with updated information regarding the situation.
  • You can also contact the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance’s (OCI) Consumer Affairs team at 608-266-3585 or ocicomplaints@wisconsin.gov with questions about the closures.

Finding alternative in-network care

For assistance finding alternative in-network care, visit our provider directory on the following websites or call the number on your health plan ID card. You can also access telehealth services, an additional way to see a provider when an in-person visit may not be accessible or convenient, by logging into your account and searching our virtual care network. Virtual care providers are available for a range of health care needs, including primary care, and in some instances, specialty care. Virtual care should not be used in emergency situations.