Medicare

After years of trying to resolve administrative burden and payment issues with Aetna, Saint Luke’s made the difficult decision to no longer partner with this plan. We did not wish this to be the outcome. Like almost 200 other health systems across the country, Saint Luke’s has had to end its relationships with certain Medicare Advantage plans. We will only contract with plans that have reasonable terms and conditions focused on patients' best interests. 

After careful consideration, beginning Jan. 1, 2027, Saint Luke's will no longer participate in the Aetna Medicare Advantage plan. Effective Jan. 1, 2027, Saint Luke's physicians and other Saint Luke's providers will be considered out of network for the Aetna Medicare Advantage plan.

We understand that changes to the insurance plans we accept can cause concern and uncertainty. We know that finding a new insurance plan or health care provider can be time-consuming and stressful, and we are committed to supporting patients through this transition.

Contact your agent or broker of record to assist with any change you might want to make. For additional information and resources regarding Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to compare available Medicare plans. To help, Chapter Advisory, our designated Medicare advisor, provides no-cost Medicare coverage information and guidance. They can help you identify plan options that include in-network services from Saint Luke's providers and Saint Luke's hospitals. You can reach them at 314-936-6108 or online at AskChapter.org/Medicare-Help.

If you remain with Aetna Medicare Advantage, beginning Jan. 1, 2027, care you receive from Saint Luke's physicians, Saint Luke's providers, and Saint Luke's facilities will be considered out of network. In most cases, this will result in higher out-of-pocket costs and/or different coverage rules. Generally, patients with out-of-network coverage will be redirected by Saint Luke's to a provider outside Saint Luke's that is in-network to the patient.

Patients who want to continue receiving in-network care at Saint Luke's will want to consider Traditional (Original) Medicare coverage with a Medicare Supplement or other Medicare Advantage plans that contract with Saint Luke's. Saint Luke's will remain in-network with other Medicare Advantage plans in 2027, including:

• Devoted Health
• Humana
• United Healthcare

Contact your agent or broker of record to assist with any change you might want to make. For additional information and resources regarding Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to compare available Medicare plans. To help, Chapter Advisory, our designated Medicare advisor, provides no-cost Medicare coverage information and guidance. They can help you identify plan options that include in-network services from Saint Luke's providers and Saint Luke's hospitals. You can reach them at 314-936-6108 or online at AskChapter.org/Medicare-Help.

If you remain enrolled in an affected Aetna Medicare Advantage plan in 2027, your care will be considered out-of-network unless covered through a specific out-of-network authorization approved by Aetna (e.g., services that are part of an active treatment plan, such as cancer treatments, and require continuity of care).

Generally, patients with out-of-network coverage will be redirected by Saint Luke's to a provider outside Saint Luke's that is in-network for the patient.

Patients who want to continue receiving in-network care at Saint Luke's should consider Traditional (Original) Medicare coverage with a Medicare Supplement or another Medicare Advantage plan that contracts with Saint Luke's. We will remain in-network with Traditional (Original) Medicare, most Medicare Supplement/Medigap plans, and other Medicare Advantage plans in 2027, including:

• Devoted Health
• Humana
• UnitedHealthcare

Contact your agent or broker of record to assist with any change you might want to make. For additional information and resources regarding Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to compare available Medicare plans. To help, Chapter Advisory, our designated Medicare advisor, provides no-cost Medicare coverage information and guidance. They can help you identify plan options that include in-network services from Saint Luke's providers and Saint Luke's hospitals. You can reach them at 314-936-6108 or online at AskChapter.org/Medicare-Help. 

In certain situations, patients may qualify for a continuity of care transition period for services that are part of an active/current treatment plan or may receive authorization from Aetna Medicare Advantage for out-of-network services that only Saint Luke's can provide in the region. Patients should contact their health plan directly to learn whether they qualify for these options.

Generally, patients with out-of-network coverage will be redirected by Saint Luke's to a provider outside Saint Luke's that is in-network for the patient.

1. Consider Traditional (Original) Medicare coverage with a Medicare Supplement/Medigap plan (which is different than a Medicare Advantage plan).
2. Review and select another Medicare Advantage plan that includes Saint Luke's providers in their network.

Saint Luke’s will remain in-network with Traditional (Original) Medicare, most Medicare Supplement/Medigap plans, and other Medicare Advantage plans in 2027, including:

• Devoted Health
• Humana
• UnitedHealthcare

Contact your agent or broker of record to assist with any change you might want to make. For additional information and resources regarding Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to compare available Medicare plans. To help, Chapter Advisory, our designated Medicare advisor, provides no-cost Medicare coverage information and guidance. They can help you identify plan options that include in-network services from Saint Luke's providers and Saint Luke's hospitals. You can reach them at 314-936-6108 or online at AskChapter.org/Medicare-Help.

After years of trying to resolve administrative burden and payment issues with Aetna, Saint Luke’s made the difficult decision to no longer partner with this plan. We did not wish this to be the outcome. Like almost 200 other health systems across the country, Saint Luke’s has had to end its relationships with certain Medicare Advantage plans.

When a health care organization agrees to accept an insurance plan, both parties sign a contract that outlines how the organizations will work together. Insurance companies and health care providers renegotiate these contracts every 3–4 years on average to balance increasing costs of care with the need for appropriate compensation.

We will only contract with plans that have reasonable terms and conditions focused on patients' best interests.

For 2027, Saint Luke's contracts with the following Medicare Advantage plans:

• Devoted Health
• Humana
• UnitedHealthcare

Patients should verify network participation and plan details before enrolling, as plan offerings and networks may change.

If you cannot choose Traditional (Original) Medicare coverage or another Medicare Advantage plan that contracts with Saint Luke's, you will need to either find a new provider who is in-network with your Medicare Advantage plan or potentially pay more out-of-pocket to see your Saint Luke's provider on an out-of-network coverage basis for services which qualify for an exception. If your services are approved by your plan for out-of-network exceptions, Saint Luke's will submit claims directly to the Medicare Advantage health plan for processing.

Generally, patients with out-of-network coverage will be redirected by Saint Luke's to a provider outside Saint Luke's that is in-network for the patient. We understand that changes to the insurance plans we accept can cause concern and uncertainty. We know that finding a new insurance plan or health care provider can be time-consuming and stressful, and we are committed to supporting patients through this transition.

Contact your agent or broker of record to assist with any change you might want to make. For additional information and resources regarding Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to compare available Medicare plans. To help, Chapter Advisory, our designated Medicare advisor, provides no-cost Medicare coverage information and guidance. They can help you identify plan options that include in-network services from Saint Luke's providers and Saint Luke's hospitals. You can reach them at 314-936-6108 or online at AskChapter.org/Medicare-Help.

If Aetna Medicare Advantage is currently your only option, we encourage you to contact your employer or former employer’s benefits leader to request they provide an additional Medicare Advantage plan option that includes Saint Luke's facilities and providers.

No. Effective Jan. 1, 2027, Saint Luke's physicians, other providers, and Saint Luke's facilities will all be considered out of network for Aetna Medicare Advantage plans.

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) begins each year on Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7, 2026, for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2027.

Contact your agent or broker of record to assist with any change you might want to make. For additional information and resources regarding Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to compare available Medicare plans. To help, Chapter Advisory, our designated Medicare advisor, provides no-cost Medicare coverage information and guidance. They can help you identify plan options that include in-network services from Saint Luke's providers and Saint Luke's hospitals. You can reach them at 314-936-6108 or online at AskChapter.org/Medicare-Help.

Saint Luke's cannot recommend specific health plans or provide insurance or financial advice. Contact your agent or broker of record to assist with any change you might want to make. For additional information and resources regarding Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to compare available Medicare plans. To help, Chapter Advisory, our designated Medicare advisor, provides no-cost Medicare coverage information and guidance. They can help you identify plan options that include in-network services from Saint Luke's providers and Saint Luke's hospitals. You can reach them at 314-936-6108 or online at AskChapter.org/Medicare-Help.

Contact your agent or broker of record to assist with any change you might want to make. For additional information and resources regarding Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to compare available Medicare plans. To help, Chapter Advisory, our designated Medicare advisor, provides no-cost Medicare coverage information and guidance. They can help you identify plan options that include in-network services from Saint Luke's providers and Saint Luke's hospitals. You can reach them at 314-936-6108 or online at AskChapter.org/Medicare-Help.

A couple of resources are available:

Chapter Advisory

• No-cost Medicare guidance and plan comparison support
• Phone: 314-936-6108
• Online: AskChapter.org/Medicare-Help

Medicare

• Visit Medicare.gov
• Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

We understand that changes to the insurance plans we accept can cause concern and uncertainty. We know that finding a new insurance plan or health care provider can be time-consuming and stressful, and we are committed to supporting patients through this transition.

Our goal is to provide the information and resources you need to understand your options and make the choice that is best for your health care coverage and access to providers. We encourage you to review your options and contact your agent or broker of record to assist with any change you might want to make. For additional information and resources regarding Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to compare available Medicare plans. To help, Chapter Advisory, our designated Medicare advisor, provides no-cost Medicare coverage information and guidance. They can help you identify plan options that include in-network services from Saint Luke's providers and Saint Luke's hospitals. You can reach them at 314-936-6108 or online at AskChapter.org/Medicare-Help.

Generally, patients with out-of-network coverage will be redirected by Saint Luke's to a provider outside Saint Luke's that is in-network for the patient. However, if an exception applies such as coverage approved through a specific out-of-network authorization (e.g., advanced service only Saint Luke's provides or continuity of care for an active/current treatment plan), then Saint Luke's will submit claims to the out-of-network health plan. Member cost sharing (e.g., copays, coinsurance), services denied for coverage, or inappropriate payment policies applied by the out-of-network health plan may all result in higher out-of-pocket costs for members enrolled in out-of-network health plans.

No. Patients with Medicare supplement or Medigap plans, including Aetna, are not affected since supplement plans are not Medicare Advantage plans. Check with your insurance provider to confirm.