Medicare

Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. Medicare's open enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 every year. During this time, you can review Medicare coverage options and make changes to your plan. Below are resources to help you 

Medicare plans 

In addition to traditional Medicare, Saint Luke's Health System is an in-network provider for numerous Medicare Advantage plans. 

Please confirm with your current or prospective health plan to make sure that a specific product is one in which Saint Luke's participates. Check with your plan to confirm that Saint Luke's 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).

Resources

Medicare

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.

Chapter advisory

At Saint Luke’s, we understand that navigating Medicare can be challenging. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Chapter, an independent Medicare advisor, to provide Medicare support at no cost to you. Call 314-936-6108.

Missouri SHIP

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.

Social Security Administration

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.

Medicare Annual Enrollment

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 2026. 

Common Medicare AEP situations

My Medicare Advantage plan will not be available in 2026

If you are notified that your current Medicare Advantage plan will not be available in 2026, 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, 2026. 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.

My Medicare Prescription Drug plan will significantly change in 2026

Most Medicare Prescription Drug plans will experience noticeable changes for 2026. 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.

My Medicare Advantage plan will significantly change in 2026

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 2026, 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 (800-633-4227) 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 or Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) which lasts from Jan. 1 through Mar. 31. Be sure to verify that your physicians and medications are covered by your plan of choice.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the following Medicare Advantage plans are accepted at Saint Luke's Hospital, Saint Luke's East Hospital, Saint Luke's North Hospital, and Saint Luke's South Hospital:

  • American Health Advantage of MO
  • Devoted Health Medicare Advantage
  • Humana
    • Humana Medicare Advantage Plans/KC Market
    • Humana Choice PPO
    • Humana Gold Plus HMO and HMO-POS
    • Humana Gold Plus HMO-SNP
    • Humana Gold Plus Giveback HMO-POS
    • Humana Choice Giveback PPO
  • Kansas Superior Select, Inc. (KSSI)
  • Provider Partners Health Plan
  • United Healthcare
    • United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
    • AARP Medicare Advantage
    • AARP Medicare Advantage Extras
    • AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials
    • AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot
    • UHC Dual Complete
    • UHC Complete Care