Alliance Bank in Sulphur Springs

CHRISTUS Health Plan Available in Wood County But Not Hopkins

CHRISTUS Health Plan is available to residents of Cherokee, Smith and Wood Counties and is the only individual/family Health Insurance Marketplace provider in-network with CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. Open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace is November 1, 2017 through December 15, 2017. The last date to enroll for coverage that starts January 1, 2018 is December 15, 2017. Due to this year’s shortened Open Enrollment period, health care leaders are advising patients to visit the Health Insurance Marketplace at healthcare.gov to secure health insurance coverage that begins January 1, 2018.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) report enrollment is up 46-percent for the first two weeks nationally, as compared to 2016. But while health care providers are encouraged by the early turnout, they recommend patients avoid any delays in signing up.

“We are encouraging patients to sign up for health care insurance as soon as they have the chance,” said Mary Elizabeth Jackson, MA, Vice President of Group Governmental Affairs and Community Benefits for CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. “This year’s shortened Open Enrollment period means there is even less time to secure health care coverage for yourself and your family.

“Last year’s launch of the CHRISTUS Health Plan to residents of Cherokee, Smith and Wood Counties was very compelling to the people of Northeast Texas because it allowed patients to continue their care at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System through the Health Insurance Marketplace,” said Jackson. “This year, early enrollment numbers look good. From Nov. 1 through Nov. 16, almost 300 people have signed up for CHRISTUS Health Plan. It is estimated 1.5 million are now on track to have coverage purchased through the web based health insurance marketplace, healthcare.gov, in 2018.”

“We are incredibly excited to be able to offer award-winning medical care to patients in Northeast Texas who obtain their family’s insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace,” said Chris Glenney, FACHE, Senior Vice President of Group Operations for CHRISTUS Health and Chief Executive Officer of CHRISTUS Health Northeast Texas, which includes CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System and CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System. “However, the most important thing by far is that patients are able to obtain coverage during this Open Enrollment period. Our Mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, and first and foremost, we want patients to visit the Health Insurance Exchange to get the coverage they need.”

“Patients throughout Northeast Texas have made their voices heard,” said Steven Keuer, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System and President of CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. “They want access to the medical care and services on the leading edge of technology and best practices. They want to work together with distinguished health care providers to manage their health. They want to build a medical home with a team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and medical staff that they trust and value. And they want to do that at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System.”

“Everyone throughout the System is deeply passionate about providing nationally-recognized, faith-based care to the people of East Texas,” said Jackson. “We welcome patients to CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, but our Mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Our focus is on making sure the people of East Texas are healthy, and we just want them to be covered.”

 

Author: Staff Reporter

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