1 month, 1 week ago by Scott Hardy
Will only be considered in-network for five Medicare Advantage plans starting January 1.
Blessing Health System says it will hold a series of meetings in West-Central Illinois next month about Medicare, and that it's narrowing down the number of plans they will accept.
Blessing Health said Thursday it will host the series of free Medicare informational sessions during October to help area seniors better understand their options for the annual national Medicare Open Enrollment Period. That runs from October 15th through December 7th.
Blessing says it's changing its approach to Medicare Advantage Plans, and will accept only a select group of plans effective January 1st. Blessing Health clinics and doctors in Illinois and Missouri, and its two hospitals, will continue to take part in traditional Medicare, BlueCross Blue Shield of Illinois Medicare Advantage, Molina Medicare Advantage, Total Retiree Advantage Illinois and United HealthCare Medicare Advantage. Blessing says it will not be considered in-network for any other Medicare Advantage plans.
The first session is on October 15th from 3 to 6 PM at the Blessing Resource Center on North 34th Street in Quincy. Blessing says that certified staff, trained through the Illinois Department on Aging Senior Health Insurance Program, will attend the informational sessions to help seniors and their caregivers understand the benefits and limitations of traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans in which Blessing will take part starting next year.
