Mercyhealth to No Longer Accept IlliniCare, Meridian, or Molina

As if Rockford doesn't have enough to worry about, it seems finding a new doctor will be added to the list for some.

This Wednesday, Mercyhealth made the announcement that those who have IlliniCare, Meridian and Molina Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) will now have 90 days to find other health care providers, doctors, and hospitals. Those with Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicaid will have six months to do the same.

Mercyhealth cites the reasons for this change is due to a reduction in income from Medicaid and other health insurance providers. This is also in combination with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hospital says they've been dealing with changes with Medicaid financially before the pandemic as well.

Javon Bea, President/CEO Mercyhealth told mystateline.com:

While we all know these actions are not easy, we also know we need to make these adjustments in order to adapt to the massive changes to our business,”

Mercyhealth says they tried to come to an agreement with the other companies involved but were unable to do so.

We have worked in good faith for several weeks with IlliniCare, Meridian and the other MCOs in an effort to renegotiate contract language that includes acceptable provisions,” said Kim Scaccia, Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management. “Unfortunately we have not been able to reach agreement with them. Therefore, the Mercyhealth agreements with the MCOs will terminate on July 21, 2020 and Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicaid will terminate on October 22, 2020.

The hospital is said to lose over $30 million a year from Medicaid.

For Medicaid patients who are assigned as subscribers tied directly to the State of Illinois Medicaid program, Mercyhealth will continue to work with you.