Northeast Missouri residents who receive their care from Blessing Health are invited to an open-house-style information session on Medicare Advantage plan changes at Blessing on Wednesday, October 30, anytime between the hours of Noon and 2 pm.
The event will take place in the MJB Conference Room of Blessing Health Hannibal, 100 Medical Drive. Those attending should enter Blessing Health Hannibal through the west entrance and take the elevator to the second floor and the MJB Conference Room. No reservation is required.
Seniors are welcome to stop by the session at any time between Noon and 2 pm to talk with certified staff to help understand the benefits and limitations of traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans in which Blessing will participate during 2025.
Blessing is modifying its approach to Medicare Advantage Plans effective January 1, 2025. Blessing Health clinics and doctors in Illinois and Missouri, and its two hospitals, will continue participation in traditional Medicare and will be in-network with the following five Medicare Advantage plans only:
- BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois Medicare Advantage,
- Molina Medicare Advantage,
- Total Retiree Advantage Illinois (trail),
- United HealthCare Medicare Advantage, and
- Humana – Employer PPO plan.
Blessing will be considered out-of-network with all other Medicare Advantage plans.
Nationwide, a growing number of health systems and hospitals are either ending their participation in all Medicare Advantage plans, or limiting their partners as Blessing Health is doing, because of requirements that can limit patient access to timely care.
The annual national Medicare Open Enrollment Period for insurance coverage during 2025 began October 15 and ends December 7, 2024.