ST. LOUIS—Coventry Health Care of Missouri, Inc. has announced the expansion of its agreement with BJC HealthCare (BJC), adding BJC’s hospitals and physicians to the Gold Advantage (HMO) and Advantra (PPO) networks for Coventry’s Medicare Advantage members.

Under the agreement, effective July 1, members of Coventry’s Gold Advantage (HMO) and Advantra (PPO) Medicare Advantage plans can receive covered services, at in-network rates, from BJC facilities and physicians. Coventry members will be able to receive care at in-network benefit levels from the following facilities:

Alton Memorial Hospital

Eunice Smith

Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Barnes-Jewish Extended Care

Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital

Boone Hospital Center

Christian Hospital

Village North Health Center

Northwest HealthCare Center

Missouri Baptist Medical Center

Missouri Baptist Hospital of Sullivan

Parkland Health Center (Bonne Terre and Farmington)

Progress West HealthCare Center

St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Also included in the agreement are BJC Home Care Services, Heart Care Institute, Twin Rivers MRI Center, Boone Hospital Home Care and BJC Medical Group physicians and other affiliated physicians.

“This agreement with Coventry allows us to serve even more people in our community through leadership, education, innovation and excellence in medicine,” said Melanie Lapidus, BJC Managed Care Vice President. “BJC HealthCare is pleased to be expanding the selection of Medicare Advantage plan choices for our patients.”

“We are excited to welcome BJC to our Gold Advantage (HMO) and Advantra (PPO) networks,” said Coventry’s Vice President and General Manager of Medicare, Ryan Voisey. “This is great news for our members. This agreement provides additional access to high-quality health care facilities and services at in-network benefit levels.”

Coventry provides health benefits to approximately 42,000 Medicare members in the St. Louis and southern Illinois region. Those Medicare members have access to a contracted network that includes approximately 50 hospitals and more than 14,000 primary care and specialist physicians.

About BJC HealthCare

BJC HealthCare is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States, delivering services to residents primarily in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions. With net revenue of $3.6 billion, BJC serves urban, suburban and rural communities and includes 13 hospitals and multiple community health locations. Services include inpatient and outpatient care, primary care, community health and wellness, workplace health, home health, community mental health, rehabilitation, long-term care and hospice.

About Coventry Health Care of Missouri, Inc.

Coventry Health Care of Missouri, Inc. provides a range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products, including group health, individual health, self-funded administration, Medicare Advantage and pharmacy plans. Coventry Health Care of Missouri, Inc. is an Aetna company. Coventry Health Care of Missouri is a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Missouri Medicaid Program.

About Aetna

Aetna (NYSE: AET) is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving an estimated 44 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers' compensation administrative services and health information technology services. Aetna’s customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com.