Medicare
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. Medicare's open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7 every year. During this time, you can review Medicare coverage options and make changes to your plan. Below are resources to help you understand your options, including a list of plans accepted by BJC providers.
In addition to traditional Medicare, BJC HealthCare is an in-network provider for numerous Medicare Advantage plans including ones offered by: Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Devoted Health, Essence, Health Alliance, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare.
Please confirm with your current or prospective health plan to make sure that a specific product is one in which BJC participates. Check with your plan to confirm that BJC providers are included in your plan’s network before scheduling an appointment.
For general questions regarding Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans, please call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).
Visit medicare.gov, the official U.S. government site for Medicare, to sign up or change plans, learn about Medicare coverage choices and more. Call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) to reach Medicare by phone.
Missouri SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) is certified by the federal and state government to provide free, unbiased, and confidential (private) Medicare services. Missouri SHIP has nearly 200 counselors throughout Missouri providing local Medicare counseling in their communities. Learn more at missouriship.org.
Illinois Department on Aging’s Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is a free, statewide health insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. Learn more at ilaging.illinois.gov/ship
The Social Security Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Visit ssa.gov or call 800-772-1213 to reach Social Security by phone.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is open from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their Medicare insurance for the calendar year 2025.
Due to the Inflation Reduction Act passed by Congress, Medicare patients enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or a standalone Medicare Prescription Drug plan (PDP) may experience significant changes to their plan benefits and/or premium for 2025.
Carefully review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter sent by your Medicare Advantage or PDP insurance carrier in early October to verify all changes to your coverage for calendar year 2025.
If you are notified that your current Medicare Advantage plan will not be available in 2025, you have options:
Return to Original Medicare. Because you are involuntarily losing your Medicare Advantage plan, you will be automatically reinstated with Original Medicare starting on Jan. 1, 2025. You also qualify for any Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan of your choice on a Guarantee Issue basis (no medical underwriting required). You may also decide to purchase a standalone Medicare Prescription Drug plan.
Shop for an alternative Medicare Advantage plan. You can compare and choose a Medicare Advantage plan during Medicare AEP which lasts from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Be sure to verify that your physicians and medications are covered by your Medicare Advantage plan of choice.
Most Medicare Prescription Drug plans will experience noticeable changes for 2025. This may include Plan Premium increases or changes to the drugs covered by the plan (formulary). For a complete listing of Medicare Prescription Drug plans available in your area, visit the plan finder tool found on Medicare.gov. You can compare and enroll in the Medicare Prescription plan of your choice.
If you receive your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter from your Medicare Advantage plan and are concerned about changes being made to your coverage for 2025, your options are to:
Return to Original Medicare. Contact your Medicare Advantage plan directly and they will initiate the disenrollment process (or call 1-800-MEDICARE for assistance). Please note:
If you wish to purchase a Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap), you will likely need to pass the plan’s medical underwriting requirements.
You may decide to purchase a standalone Medicare Prescription Drug plan.
Shop for an alternative Medicare Advantage plan. You can compare and choose a Medicare Advantage plan during Medicare AEP which lasts from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Be sure to verify that your physicians and medications are covered by your plan of choice.