What changes are coming to Medicare Advantage plans at Blessing?

Effective January 1, 2026, Blessing Health clinics and doctors will be in network with the following Medicare plans:

  • Traditional Medicare
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Medicare Advantage
  • Molina Medicare Advantage
  • Total Retiree Advantage Illinois (trail)
  • United HealthCare Medicare Advantage
  • Humana - Employer PPO plan

Who Do I Call if I have Questions?

  • Speak with a certified counselor by calling the Blessing Resource Center at 217-277-5000.
  • Attend a free educational Medicare 101 session on October 21, 2025.  Click here for full details.

What are Medicare Advantage plans?

Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private companies that contract with Medicare to provide all of your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. Alongside Medicare Advantage, you may hear these plans referred to as “Part C” plans. In many cases, these plans will also offer prescription (or “Part D”) plans as well.  Note that Medicare Advantage plans are administered by insurance companies and have different kinds of benefit designs. Medicare Advantage plans can be purchased either on an individual basis or through your employer.

For State of Illinois retirees within our service area, Medicare Advantage plans are offered on a group basis through the Total Retiree Advantage Illinois (“trail”) program. We encourage you review the State of Illinois website for more information on benefit plans offered. Blessing Health cannot answer any specific benefit questions and we encourage you to review the state’s website for additional plan details. Finally, we encourage you to review our Insurance page for information on plans accepted through the TRAIL program.

When can I enroll for Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans?

Enrollment timelines for those wishing to choose a traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan are set by CMS. Information on switching plans and enrollment periods is included below from Medicare.gov:

  • To switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan: Simply sign up with the plan you choose during one of the enrollment periods. Doing so will disenroll you from your current plan when the new plan coverage begins.
  • To switch to traditional Medicare: Contact your current plan or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

There are three windows in which you can gain coverage:

  • Initial Enrollment Period: When you first become eligible for Medicare, you can join a plan.
  • Open Enrollment Period: From Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year, you can join, switch or drop a plan. Coverage selected will begin on Jan. 1.
  • Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: From Jan. 1 to March 31 each year, individuals enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan OR switch to traditional Medicare once during this time.

People with additional Medicare questions should call the Blessing Resource Center at 217-277-5000, Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, to speak with a certified counselor.