BJC signs deal with Coventry for Missouri marketplace

Missouri’s new federally-run health insurance marketplace features at least two major players – Coventry and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

A representative for Aetna, which now owns Coventry, told ABC 17 News Monday the company would offer plans in the state marketplace.

That may be good news for people with doctors at Boone Hospital. Parent company, BJC, was rejected as an in network provider by Anthem because of high costs, which would have kept the hospital chain out of marketplace.

A BJC spokesperson confirmed for ABC 17 News Tuesday that it had signed a deal with Coventry as an in network provider for patients purchasing Coventry plans from the marketplace.

The marketplace opened for enrollment Tuesday at midnight.

Supporters and licensed, trained “navigators” told ABC 17 News Monday that consumers should wait and research marketplace offerings in the first couple weeks.

Already Tuesday night, the website was having glitches preventing sign ups.

Jean Leonatti, Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging CEO, said Monday the process was similar to the rollout of Medicare Part D and would face some issues the first week before becoming easier to use and explain.

The trained “navigators” in her organization would be available to start making appointments for later in October on Tuesday morning. “Navigators” underwent 20 hours of training to get certified and licensed to provide help to people using the new marketplace.