Blessing hosts Medicare Advantage open house in Pittsfield Oct. 22

The first of eight open-house-style informational sessions on Medicare Advantage plan changes at Blessing Health System takes place Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the Blessing Resource Center, 420 N. 34th Street, Quincy. Seniors and their caregivers are invited to stop by the session anytime between 3 and 6 p.m. 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. The staff were trained through the Illinois Department on Aging Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP).

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 Medicare Advantage plans only: BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois Medicare Advantage, Molina Medicare Advantage, Total Retiree Advantage Illinois (trail), and United HealthCare Medicare Advantage.

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.

No reservations are required for the free open house informational sessions. The remaining sessions are listed below. Seniors are welcome to visit a session at any time between the hours listed:

Oct. 16, Noon-2 p.m. at the Blessing Mt. Sterling Clinic

Oct. 22, Noon-2 p.m. at the Illini Rural Health Clinic

Oct. 23, 3-6 p.m. at the Blessing Resource Center in Quincy

Oct. 29, Noon-2 p.m. at the Blessing Health Palmyra Clinic

Oct. 30, Noon-2 p.m. at Blessing Health Hannibal

Nov. 6, Noon-2 p.m. at Blessing Health Hamilton Warsaw Clinic

Nov. 8, Noon-2 p.m. at East Adams Clinic, Golden, Illinois

The nationwide annual national Medicare Open Enrollment Period for insurance coverage during 2025 begins Oct. 15 and ends December 7, 2024.