Almost 36 payers and employers are not renewing their contracts next year with senior companionship company Papa, Bloomberg reported Nov. 15.
Cigna, multiple BCBS affiliates and grocery chain Albertsons will not offer Papa's services in 2024. Bloomberg reported in September that Humana, Aetna and Molina have also declined to renew contracts with the company.
"Even as total Medicare Advantage annual programming funding will be down in 2024 as compared to this year, Papa continues to add new clients and more than a third of our clients will be expanding relationships with us in the new year," a Papa spokesperson told Becker's. "While some of the annual MA contracts will expire at the end of 2023, Papa remains in active discussion with nearly all of those plans for 2024 because of the clear value of our program."
In May, Bloomberg Businessweek published a report detailing allegations of abuse against seniors and Papa employees based on 1,200 complaints submitted to the company. The complaints included allegations of sexual abuse and assault, harassment, or unsafe living conditions.
Papa inked partnerships with Aetna and Humana, along with other payers, in 2019. The company has described itself as providing "grandkids on demand" to older adults for assistance with transportation, house chores, and other services, in partnership with health plans.