Ferguson provides list of insurance providers it will accept

SIKESTON — Patients of Ferguson Medical Group now can see which insurance providers will be accepted as the Sikeston-based group changes over to Saint Francis Healthcare System.

Following the Aug. 9 announcement of Saint Francis’ acquisition of Ferguson Medical Group, area patients have been concerned whether their insurance would be accepted once the changeover is completed on Jan. 1, 2019.

On Monday, Ferguson Medical Group made the following post to its Facebook page: “Saint Francis is proud to partner with a variety of insurance providers. We accept Medicare and Medicaid as well as several contracted commercial plans.”

The link [https://www.sfmc.net/insurance/] to Saint Francis’ website was then provided for users to view the full list of insurance providers.

In addition to Medicare and Medicaid, Saint Francis said it accepts insurance plans from the following providers:

CONTRACTED COMMERCIAL INSURANCE PLANS

• Aetna Health Incorporated

• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield*

— In-Network: Blue Access, PPO

— Out-of-Network: Blue Preferred, Pathway, HMO, New Directions Behavioral Health (Wal-Mart BCBS)

*Kneibert Clinic and Advanced Orthopedic Specialists providers are in network with Anthem Pathway and Anthem Blue Preferred products. Saint Francis Medical Center (hospital) and other Saint Francis Medical Partners providers are not in networks with these plans.

• Cigna Health Care

—Out-of-Network: Connect Network-Marketplace Plan

• Coalition America, Inc.

• Comp Care of the Ozarks

• Compresults, LLC

• Coventry Health Care

— Out-of-Network: MHNet Behavioral Health Services

• Cox Health Plans

• Evolutions Prime Missouri

• Great Rivers Network

• Healthlink® HMO

• Healthlink® PPO

• Matrix

• MultiPlan/PHCS

• United Healthcare

— In-Network: Choice, Choice Plus, Choice EPO, Choice POS, Options PPO, Select

— Out-of-Network: Compass, Core, Charter, Navigate, Optum Behavioral Health

CONTRACTED MEDICAID PLANS

• Missouri Medicaid

— In-Network: Missouri Care, United Healthcare Community Plan, Home State Health Plan, Traditional Medicaid – Mo Healthnet, Cenpatico Behavioral Health Services

• Illinois Medicaid

— In-Network: Traditional Medicaid – Illinois Public Aid (IPA), BlueCross Community Health Plans

— Out-of-Network: IlliniCare Health, Molina Healthcare, Harmony Health Plan, Meridian Health Plan, CountyCare Health Plan

• Kentucky Medicaid

• Arkansas Medicaid

ACCEPTED GOVERNMENT PLANS

• Traditional Medicare

• All Medicare HMO, PFFS, PPO Plans

• Veterans Administration

• Tricare

ADDITIONAL INSURANCE INFORMATION

“To best meet the needs of our valued patients and the communities we are privileged to serve, Saint Francis continuously reviews available contracting options,” the website said. “If there are concerns about insurance coverage, please talk to your human resource department or insurance company to ensure that Saint Francis providers are within network. Your employer may exclusively exclude Saint Francis from your insurance plan.”

“As a service to our patients, Saint Francis Medical Center submits our bills to your insurance company, Medicare or Medicaid,” Saint Francis’ website said. “We will do everything possible to expedite your claim. If you have no health insurance, our patient account representatives can discuss financial arrangements with you. We can also help you apply for Medicaid or other government assistance programs.”

Saint Francis asked customers to remember that their insurance policy is a contract between them and their insurance carrier.

“Even though our facilities may be contracted with your carrier, not all services provided by Saint Francis Healthcare System may be covered by your specific plan,” Saint Francis’ website said. “To better facilitate payment by your carrier, please verify with your carrier’s member benefits department that you have plan specific coverage prior to receiving services. You will be financially responsible for payment of your Medical Center bill. Status of contract will need to be verified at the time of service, so please bring a copy of your insurance card with you to your Medical Center appointment. Your employer or insurance company may require additional forms as well. Please familiarize yourself with the terms of your insurance coverage to ensure you are meeting all requirements prior to your care. Call your insurance carrier if you have any questions.”

For more information, contact Saint Francis’ Patient Financial Services Department by by phone at 573-331-5217 (option 4).

Customer service specialists can assist with verifying the current status of insurance plans and contracts.