Healthcare organizations collaborate to deliver high-quality, affordable care to more Missouri Medicare beneficiaries
ST. LOUIS, MO, November 8, 2022 — Essence Healthcare (Essence), a Lumeris owned and operated health plan, announced a major addition to the network in the southwest region of Missouri. Physicians and hospitals within the Mercy health system will begin accepting Essence’s Medicare Advantage plans starting January 1, 2023, 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 high-quality care,” said Umar Farooq, President of Essence. “This expansion brings the 5-star Medicare benefits and service Essence is known for to more people throughout the southwest Missouri community.”
The expanded collaboration between Mercy and Essence follows the 2022 launch in St. Louis, marking 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 plan is among a short list of plans nationwide awarded Medicare’s highest overall plan rating of 5 out of 5 stars for 2022 and again in 2023. The plan was also once again awarded “Best Medicare Advantage plan” in Missouri for 2023 by U.S. News & World Report.
During the 2022 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 through December 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 in the southwest Missouri region creates new growth opportunities for both of our organizations,” said Suzanne Grossman, VP of Marketing of Essence. “With more doctors and hospitals to choose from, we will be able to reach and serve more people in the 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 in 2022 and again in 2023 for its Missouri and Missouri-Illinois plans and was recently named “Best Medicare Advantage Plan Companies” for Missouri and Illinois for 2022 and 2023 by U.S. News and World Report. In 2023, Essence’s Medicare Advantage plans will be available in markets in California, Illinois, Missouri, Georgia, Arkansas, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. To learn more about Essence Healthcare, please visit www.essencehealthcare.com.
About Mercy
Mercy, one of the 25 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized quality care and one of the nation’s largest Accountable Care Organizations. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state healthcare system 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, 4,000 Mercy Clinic physicians and advanced practitioners, 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.
