Geisinger Health Plan Recognized by U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in health care rankings and consumer advice, has named Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) a 2026 Best Insurance Company for Medicare Advantage in Pennsylvania. The ratings of the Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage evaluate private insurance companies on the basis of U.S. News’ proprietary analysis of 30+ quality measures published by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Less than one-third of Medicare Advantage providers nationwide were named Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage. “This is once again a testament to Geisinger Health Plan’s continued commitment to providing high-quality medical coverage and excellent member services to Medicare beneficiaries across Pennsylvania,” said Karen Murphy, PhD, RN, president of Geisinger Health Plan. “U.S. News’ comprehensive, data-driven methodology recognizes the insurance companies that deliver the best Medicare Advantage plans,” said Sumita Singh, executive vice president and general manager of Health at U.S. News. “By evaluating every company’s Medicare Advantage plans based on dozens of quality measures and recognizing top performers in key areas – including Screening & Prevention and Care Continuity – we’re highlighting those that deliver superior plans and hopefully better outcomes for beneficiaries,” Singh added. “U.S. News’ Medicare Advantage ratings are a powerful tool for beneficiaries as they make one of their most important health decisions.” For the 2026 edition of Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage, U.S. News considered CMS data and quality measure results for every evaluated insurance company’s Medicare Advantage health plans for the 2026 calendar year. U.S. News, in consultation with industry experts, selected 30+ CMS quality measures and assigned each measure a weight reflecting its relevance to consumers. The results for a provider’s plans were averaged together, with greater weight assigned to plans having the most seniors enrolled. Additionally, U.S. News calculated insurers’ ratings for three specific Medicare Advantage award categories: Screening & Prevention, Care Continuity and Highest Satisfaction. For more information, visit Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage. Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period ends Sunday, Dec. 7. Click here or call 800-482-8163 to learn more about GHP Medicare Advantage options.
Geisinger’s Peer Support Program Reaches Milestone Geisinger’s employee-led peer support initiative, M-PATH (Meeting Peers at the Heart), has reached a significant milestone, with more than 1,000 employees now trained as peer supporters across the health system. Developed and offered through Geisinger’s Center for Well-being, M-PATH is designed to cultivate a culture of empathy, connection and emotional support among staff. The program equips employees with the skills to provide meaningful peer-to-peer support — whether proactively checking in with colleagues or offering a compassionate ear during challenging times. As part of the training, peer supporters learn how to be an empathetic and active listener, assess situations thoughtfully and connect employees with appropriate resources when additional support is needed. Peer supporters represent a wide range of departments, roles and regions, underscoring Geisinger’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace environment. “We’re incredibly grateful to the more than 1,000 employees who have stepped up to be a source of support for their peers,” said Susan Parisi, M.D., Geisinger’s chief wellness officer. “Their compassion and dedication reflect the value Geisinger places on well-being and the powerful role each person plays in building a connected, caring community. We’re proud of how far the M-PATH program has come and look forward to its continued growth and the positive impact it will have on our colleagues.”
Geisinger Recognized As Top Employer by Military Organizations Geisinger has been recognized as a top employer for its continued support of military veterans and active service members with two recent designations. The Pennsylvania-based health system earned the 2026 Military Friendly® Employer with Gold distinction designation by VIQTORY and was also recognized by Military Times on its 2025 Best for Vets: Employers list. This is the 7th consecutive year Geisinger has been recognized with a Military Friendly® Employers designation and the 4th year in a row the system has achieved the gold ranking. It’s also the 6th consecutive year Geisinger has been recognized by Military Times. Both honors demonstrate Geisinger’s ongoing commitment and efforts to building programs and opportunities for military veterans. Companies earning the Military Friendly® Employers designation were evaluated using public data sources and survey responses. More than 1,200 organizations participated in the Military Friendly® survey. Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by VIQTORY with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders from the military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining an organization’s survey score with an assessment of the organization’s ability to meet thresholds for recruitment, new hire retention, employee turnover and promotion and advancement of veterans and military employees. Geisinger will be showcased as a 2026 Military Friendly® Employer in the winter issue of G.I. Jobs® magazine and on militaryfriendly.com. For the Best for Vets recognition, Military Times evaluates the areas of greatest importance to transitioning service members, veterans and their families when looking for an employer. Recruitment and employment practices, along with retention and support programs, were given the most weight in scoring and final rankings. Geisinger employs more than 900 veterans and active-duty service members throughout the system. As part of its commitment to the military and its veterans, Geisinger offers a paid military leave benefit, which allows service members employed by Geisinger to be paid for time at annual trainings, encampments and drills. It’s also part of a military fellowship program that eases the transition of active-duty service members looking to move into a civilian career.To learn more about Geisinger’s veteran programs and career opportunities, visit jobs.geisinger.org/veterans.
Geisinger’s Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment Deadline Approaching With the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) deadline quickly approaching on Sunday, Dec. 7, there’s still time for eligible seniors to evaluate and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for 2026. Medicare Advantage plans help older adults fill health care gaps that traditional Medicare does not cover, such as vision, dental and prescription benefits.Geisinger Gold, recently named one of the best Medicare Advantage Plans in Pennsylvania by U.S. News and World Report, offers access to a comprehensive care network with more than 30,000 doctors, 180 hospitals and 3,000 pharmacies. It also includes perks like wellness programs, prescription discounts, financial assistance and Silver Circle membership, a free program designed for men and women 55+ that promotes physical, emotional and social well-being. Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage plans achieved 4.5 out of 5 Stars in the 2026 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Ratings program for its performance across multiple criteria, including positive clinical outcomes, preventive care, prescription drug services and customer service. CMS evaluates plans every year. Click here to learn more about Geisinger’s Medicare Advantage health plans. Information sessions are also taking place at various locations. To sign up for a session, visit go.geisinger.org/seminar.
Geisinger Life Flight Earns Accreditation Geisinger Life Flight has earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) for its commitment to exceptional patient care and safety in medical transport. Accreditation is granted only to programs that meet or exceed rigorous standards, which are regularly updated to reflect advancements in care and safety standards for patients and staff during transport. “CAMTS accreditation reinforces Geisinger’s commitment to safe, high-quality care for every patient under our care,” said David Schoenwetter, DO, division chief hospital medicine, Geisinger. “Our team works tirelessly to be a leader in our communities and provide comprehensive air transportation to our patients in their most dire times of need.”
Geisinger: Pittston Man Emerges Healthier After Medication Side Effect David Centak of Pittston is just your average guy. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Tiffany, and he loves hosting game nights, cooking and grilling, gaming, and spending time outside with his two Australian shepherds, Grace and Hope. What makes the 35-year-old so much more than an average guy is the incredible health battle he overcame and how he emerged on the other side of that journey healthier than ever before. Centak always knew that he was at high risk for colon cancer because of a genetic condition called Lynch syndrome. People with the condition have DNA that lacks the ability to repair their own cells. As cells grow and make copies of a person’s DNA, errors may occur. DNA will make corrections to repair these errors, but for a person with Lynch syndrome the errors may duplicate themselves, resulting in an increased risk for cancer. Because of the condition, Centak had regular screenings. And in the fall of 2024, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. “My doctors recommended a hemicolectomy, but at my age I did not want to undergo that radical of a surgery,” he said. Not ready to have a surgery to remove a section of his colon, he sought other options and found a clinical trial with immunotherapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. “I received the first dose and when I went back for the second dose, they noticed that my blood glucose level was 561,” Centak said. “It was the day after New Year’s, so I was dehydrated and attributed it to eating Wawa that morning and having an energy drink on the way to the appointment.” The medical team gave him some time and rechecked his levels, and when the number fell to 210, he received his second dose of the medication. On his way home, he received a call from the doctor at Memorial Sloan Kettering telling Centak to go the emergency room immediately. The doctor worried Centak had a very rare side effect from the medication that could affect how his body processed glucose. Centak immediately went to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center’s emergency room. Following some tests, they confirmed that the medication had likely caused him to develop Type 1 diabetes. “The emergency room doctor explained that a reaction like this most likely meant that the immunotherapy had worked to stop the cancer from growing,” Centak said. “That was good news but it had also destroyed the beta cells in my pancreas.” He needed to stop the clinical trial immediately to avoid risk of further major organ damage. Luckily since the trial had stopped the cancer, he would not need radiation or chemotherapy, but now he had to learn to manage having diabetes at 35 years of age. After meeting with Mihail Voica, MD, Geisinger endocrinologist, he connected with a certified diabetes care and education specialist to learn how to deal with his new condition. “I met with Jessica Kozlosky and she had an amazing level of understanding and knowledge,” Centak said. “We talked about my insulin shots, and she offered dietary advice. Early on, I met with her every week and that was critical for me getting everything managed.” Kozlosky, a registered dietitian nutritionist, explained to Centak that she had diabetes herself and shared some tips on how she managed her condition to put his mind at ease and give him reassurance on managing his blood sugars. “Diabetes is a personalized disease. Something that works for one person might not work for someone else, but David was open to my experiences and really wanted to learn more about how he could manage the disease through his eating habits,” Kozlosky said. “He comes to appointments with really great questions and is truly invested in managing his disease.” She explained carbohydrate counting as a tool to help Centak manage his diabetes and talked him into using a pump to make managing insulin and blood sugars easier. “The Omnipod (insulin pump) was a game changer. Getting that advice from someone who understands was invaluable. She explained that I can still enjoy my life,” Centak said. “She also explained things to my father and my wife at a couple of appointments, explaining the course of action and creating a level of trust with my family so they understood it was under control.” Follow-up tests revealed a small spot of cancer still remaining in his colon, so he underwent a partial colectomy in August to remove about one-third of his colon. He has recovered fully from the surgery, has been managing his diabetes and feels great. “This might sound funny to say, but I feel better than I did before all of this happened,” he says. “I am healthier. I sleep better and I feel better, even with these conditions.” Kozlosky is not surprised. “His success is not surprising because he puts the work in. He comes to appointments with questions and is willing to do anything. He is very analytical and looks at trends and the data,” she said. “I have a really positive outlook for him.”
Geisinger Serves 3,300 Meals at Veteran Appreciation Dinners To thank local veterans for their service,Geisinger served 3,300 meals during drive-through veteran appreciation dinners at 12 locations across its service area on Thursday, Nov. 6. The dinners were provided at no cost to U.S. military veterans and their guests. Meals were provided in Bloomsburg, Danville, Jersey Shore, Lewistown, Mifflintown, Mount Pocono, Muncy, Pittston, Scranton, Shamokin, State College and Wilkes-Barre. Members of Geisinger’s executive leadership team, regional leaders and volunteers attended the event to hand out meals to veterans. Members of the leadership team, along with staff, distributed the meals with gratitude for the veterans’ selflessness and sacrifice. Geisinger Volunteer Services also partnered with local elementary schools to provide veterans with homemade cards and notes from students. GSWB Volunteers HCP Volunteers GCMC Volunteers Geisinger Mount Pocono Volunteers
GCMC Invests Nearly $50 Million in Scranton Hospital Geisinger Community Medical Center (GCMC) has several projects in motion to address critical and growing health care needs for the Scranton, Lackawanna County and larger northeastern Pennsylvania community. Renovation is underway to add 19 new postpartum beds and more pre- and post-operative care to GCMC’s labor and delivery capacity. The project is expected to reach a 12-bed milestone in December and be completed in April 2026. To provide more onsite care for newborns, GCMC has upgraded its nursery from a well-baby nursery to a continuing care nursery capable of caring for babies who may need help breathing or regulating their temperature but do not need the higher acuity care of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Geisinger leadership is targeting next year to begin work on a NICU, which, when complete, will provide care for babies with more complicated conditions and need for critical care right in Scranton. GCMC is also addressing an increasing community need for more emergency care by adding 24 emergency medicine treatment areas to its first floor, an update made possible by the migration of a variety of outpatient specialty services from the medical center to Geisinger’s 3 W. Olive Street facility where they have more room to grow. The multi-faceted plan for improvement within the hospital’s current footprint includes installing a second MRI machine for diagnostic imaging and building an additional suite for endoscopic procedures. These enhancements to care capacity will be supported by the growth of Geisinger’s patient transport services in Lackawanna County. These efforts follow the opening or reactivation of 41 inpatient beds earlier this year, 22 of which were enabled by moving behavioral health services to Geisinger Behavioral Health Center Northeast when it opened in August 2023. These most recent and ongoing renovations represent a nearly $50 million investment in Scranton. “We are laser-focused on providing as much safe, quality acute care as possible within the bounds of Geisinger Community Medical Center,” said Navneet Dang, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer at GCMC. “As more residents of Lackawanna County and surrounding communities come to us for care, we need all these resources to meet their needs. But to deliver the best care possible, we still need to do much more.” Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti recently appealed to City Council to approve new zoning designations near GCMC to facilitate Geisinger’s continued commitment to addressing the critical and growing health care needs of the Scranton community. “With these projects, we’ve grown services as much as humanly possible inside the walls of our current hospital, but the community needs more,” said Nick Coleman, associate vice president of clinical operations in Geisinger’s northeast region. “Significant additional capacity at GCMC is needed, long overdue, and what northeastern Pennsylvania deserves. Amidst the uncertain future of hospital services elsewhere in Scranton, we are very grateful for Mayor Cognetti’s forward-thinking and vision. We need equal support from City Council and the people of Scranton to ensure we have a health care community that can care for everyone who lives here with competence, expertise and compassion for years to come.”
Geisinger Health Plan Medicare Options for Veterans Veterans can select a special Medicare Advantage plan geared toward them from Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) during the ongoing Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which ends Sunday, Dec. 7.Veterans can continue to receive Veteran Affairs (VA) health care benefits without adding a monthly payment. The Geisinger Gold Heritage (HMO) plan provides veterans with more non-VA health care facility options when seeking care closer to home, including: $0 copay for supplemental preventive and comprehensive dental services, up to $1,250 annually $40 allowance per month for over-the-counter purchases like cough medicine and bandages $200 allowance per year for eyewear $1,250 allowance per year every 3 years for prescription hearing aids and $250 allowance every 2 years for 1 pair of over-the-counter hearing aids. A cap in out-of-pocket costs for inpatient stays Access to more than 30,000 doctors and specialists, 180+ hospitals and all VA facilities “We recognize and honor the special role veterans have played for our country — and we understand their unique health care needs,” said Roger van Baaren, Geisinger Health Plan chief sales officer. “That’s why GHP is proud to have plans that were designed with veterans specifically in mind.” Click here or call 800-482-8163 to learn more about Geisinger Health Plan Medicare Advantage options.
Geisinger Health Plan Announces Marketplace Plans for 2026 Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) announced its coverage plans for individuals age 19 to 64 who don’t have insurance coverage through an employer or family member. “Everyone’s health looks different, and it’s critical to have adequate health care coverage that fits your needs,” said Dan Schultz, individual sales manager at Geisinger Health Plan. “Having health insurance coverage for emergencies that come up can protect you from an unexpected large expense.” GHP is locally staffed, community-focused, innovative and fully integrated with Geisinger, a recognized leader in care. Having GHP coverage means having access to quality care from world-renowned doctors. Members living outside the GHP footprint have access to more than 120 hospitals, including Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Johns Hopkins, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) runs Nov. 1 through Jan. 15. During OEP, everyone can find suitable Geisinger Health Plan coverage, with its range of different price points. For people who don’t have existing medical needs or don’t visit the doctor often, high-deductible plans cover less. Those seeking coverage for more specific needs, like treatments, specialist visits, management of chronic medical conditions and prescription drugs, can find GHP plans with a lower deductible. More than half a million members choose Geisinger Health Plan for its high-quality, affordable health care benefits, including: A large provider network that gives members access to thousands of medical professionals Concierge-type customer service Exclusive health and wellness programs Access to world-renowned hospitals To learn more about Geisinger Health Plan’s Marketplace plan options, call 866-460-5467 or visit geisinger.org/mp.
