HealthThursday, November 12
Children's Mercy will be in-network with UnitedHealthcare ACA Marketplace plans starting Jan. 1
The KCtoday team
If you buy health insurance on the ACA Marketplace, Children's Mercy announced Tuesday that it will be in-network with UnitedHealthcare plans beginning Jan. 1. That reverses the hospital's Oct. 20 announcement that no marketplace plan would cover it in-network in 2027, as Medica, the only ACA plan the hospital currently accepts, is leaving the marketplace in several metro counties.
Medica is leaving the marketplace in these counties
| State | Counties |
|---|---|
| Kansas | Johnson, Wyandotte |
| Missouri | Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte |
Sources: Kansas Reflector, KCUR
Kasey Jackson's 13-year-old son, Elijah, is being treated for leukemia at the hospital. Her videos about the loss drew hundreds of thousands of views. "I felt this overwhelming sense of relief," she said.
- Deadline: pick a plan by Dec. 15 for coverage starting Jan. 1
- Open enrollment: runs through Jan. 15, 2027
- Other plans: the hospital says it is in talks with more insurers
Families have until Dec. 15 to pick a plan for Jan. 1
- Oct. 20Children's Mercy says no ACA Marketplace plans will cover it in-network in 2027.
- Nov. 10Children's Mercy announces an agreement with UnitedHealthcare for ACA Marketplace plans.
- Dec. 15Deadline to select a plan for coverage to begin Jan. 1.
- Jan. 1Children's Mercy will be in-network with UnitedHealthcare ACA Marketplace plans.
- Jan. 15ACA open enrollment ends.
Sources: KMBC, Kansas Reflector, KCUR
If you're shopping, check that your plan lists Children's Mercy before Dec. 15. Travis Allen of AIS Insurance Advisors says independent brokers don't charge to help. He also says families who need specialized care but don't have an approved carrier would have to go through a special appeals process.
Sources: KMBC, KSHB 41 Kansas City, Kansas Reflector, KCUR