Healthcare organizations collaborate to deliver high quality, affordable care to more St. Louis area Medicare beneficiaries

Essence Healthcare, a Lumeris owned and operated health plan, announced today that all St. Louis area physicians and hospitals within the Mercy health system will begin accepting Essence’s Medicare Advantage plans starting Jan. 1, 2022, giving current and future Essence plan members even more choice when it comes to physicians and hospitals.

“The physicians, nurses and hospitals of Mercy have earned a national reputation for delivering quality care,” said Richard Jones, CEO of Essence. “We are excited to work with them to bring the great Medicare benefits and service Essence is known for to more people throughout our community.”

The collaboration between Mercy and Essence marks the coming together of two of the region’s most progressive healthcare organizations. Both organizations are leaders in implementing new and innovative technologies, processes and methods to help ensure high quality care and provide patients with a better healthcare experience.

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Essence’s St. Louis plan is among a short list of plans nationwide to be awarded Medicare’s highest overall plan rating of 5 out of 5 stars for 2022. The plan was also once again awarded “Best Medicare Advantage plan” in both Missouri and Illinois for 2022 by U.S. News & World Report.

“We’re excited to work with Essence knowing their award-winning plan will give our patients even more choice and easy access to quality care – always a top focus for Mercy,” said Dr. David Meiners, Mercy Hospital St. Louis president. “When Essence Medicare patients can choose Mercy and easily find physicians and services close to home it’s a win-win.”

During the 2022 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, Medicare beneficiaries can change their coverage for the coming year, including the opportunity to enroll in a $0 monthly premium plan from Essence Healthcare.

“The addition of Mercy to our network creates exciting new opportunities for growth for both of our organizations,” said Martha Butler, President of Essence. “Our plans are better than ever, and with more doctors and hospitals to choose from, we believe we will be able to reach and serve more people throughout the St. Louis area.”

ABOUT ESSENCE HEALTHCARE

Essence Healthcare provides over 65,000 people with Medicare comprehensive and affordable health insurance that focuses on wellness, care coordination and personal service. Essence’s Medicare Advantage plans offer complete hospital, medical and prescription drug coverage and include additional benefits not covered under the Original Medicare program. Powered by the nation’s leading population health services and technology of Lumeris, Essence is earning national recognition for its commitment to service and quality, including being awarded Medicare’s highest overall plan rating of 5 out of 5 Stars for 2022 for its Missouri and Missouri-Illinois plans and was recently named “Best Medicare Advantage Plan Companies” for Missouri and Illinois for 2022 by U.S. News and World Report.

ABOUT MERCY

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems for four consecutive years by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy is one of the nation’s most highly integrated, multi-state health care systems, including more than 40 acute care, managed and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has 900 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 2,400 Mercy Clinic physicians and more than 40,000 co-workers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

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