HealthFriday, November 13
Children's Mercy will be back in network for UnitedHealthcare ACA plans on Jan. 1
The Daily Olathe team
If your family buys insurance on the ACA Marketplace, here's good news: Children's Mercy will be in network with UnitedHealthcare ACA Marketplace plans beginning Jan. 1, 2027. In late October, the hospital said no marketplace plan would cover it after Medica decided to exit the market in Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas and five Missouri counties.
Three ACA plans stay out of network at Children's Mercy in January
| ACA Marketplace plan | Status at New Year |
|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | In network |
| Ambetter | Out of network |
| BlueKC (Blue Metro, BlueSelect) | Out of network |
| Oscar | Out of network |
Source: Johnson County Post
Leawood mom Kasey Jackson, whose 13-year-old son Elijah is being treated for leukemia there, posted videos that drew hundreds of thousands of views. When she heard the news, she posted, "We did it." The hospital hasn't said how the deal came about, and it's still talking with other plans. If you're on one of the plans still out of network, the hospital's FAQ page offers help with insurer exceptions.
- Coverage starts: Jan. 1, 2027, with UnitedHealthcare
- Families affected: an estimated 400, per Children's Mercy
- Open enrollment: continues through Jan. 15
Key dates for Children's Mercy families on ACA plans run through Jan. 15
- Oct. 20Children's Mercy announces ACA Marketplace coverage changes for 2027.
- Jan. 2027Children's Mercy will be in network with UnitedHealthcare ACA Marketplace plans.
- Jan. 15ACA open enrollment continues through this day.