Why networks matter
A network is the group of doctors, hospitals and other providers a plan works with. How much a network matters depends on the type of plan you have.
| Medicare Supplement | Medicare Advantage | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | No network for standard plans. Any doctor in the U.S. who takes Medicare. | Most plans use a network. Going outside it can cost more, or may not be covered. |
| Can it change? | The doctor only needs to keep taking Medicare. | Networks can change each year, and sometimes during the year. |
| Approval before care | Generally follows Original Medicare rules. | Some services need prior authorization, which means the plan must approve them first. |
Neither type is right for everyone. A Medicare Advantage plan can be a good fit when your doctors are in its network. A Supplement can be a good fit when you want the freedom to see any doctor who takes Medicare. Either way, the network question comes first.
How to check your doctors yourself
- Make a list. Write down every doctor you see, including specialists, plus your hospital, your pharmacy and any clinic you use.
- Use the plan's provider directory. Each plan has an online search tool or a printed directory. Search for each name and the exact location you visit. One clinic can be in network while another office of the same group is not.
- Call the doctor's office. Ask the billing staff: "Do you take this exact plan?" Give the full plan name, not just the insurance company name.
- Ask about next year. In the fall, ask: "Will you still take this plan next year?" Contracts are often settled late in the year.
- Write it down. Note who you talked to and the date, in case you need it later.
What we do for you
You can do all of this on your own, and some people like to. But it takes time, and it is easy to miss a detail. When you work with us, we:
- Take your list of doctors, hospitals and medicines.
- Check them against the plans we offer, from many insurance companies.
- Tell you plainly which plans include them and which do not.
- Point out plans where a doctor or hospital is changing for next year.
- Stay with you all year. If a network changes, we call you.
Our help is free, and the price of a plan is the same as going direct. We are local, so we know the Kansas City systems people ask about most.
What has changed recently in Kansas City
Here are two recent Medicare Advantage network changes reported by the hospitals themselves and local news. These can change again, so always check before you enroll.
- Saint Luke's and Aetna Medicare Advantage (October 2026). Saint Luke's says its doctors and hospitals will be out of network for Aetna Medicare Advantage plans starting January 1, 2027. It says Medicare Supplement plans are not affected. Sources: Saint Luke's, and KCTV5, October 21, 2026.
- NKC Health and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage (effective October 1, 2026). NKC Health (North Kansas City Hospital) says it became out of network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, including AARP plans, on October 1, 2026. For 2027, it lists Original Medicare, Humana Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans as accepted. Source: NKC Health, updated August 2026.
If you have one of these plans and use one of these hospitals, call us. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7, and changes start January 1. Learn about enrollment periods.
Ask us to check your doctors
Send us your name and number. Someone from our team will call to go over your doctors and hospital. Or call us now at (816) 307-6165.
Questions people ask us
Does my doctor accept Medicare Advantage?
It depends on the plan, not just the insurance company. Ask the office about the exact plan name for next year, or send us your doctors and we will check the plans we offer.
What is Medicare assignment?
A doctor who accepts assignment agrees to take the Medicare-approved amount as full payment. That matters most with Original Medicare and Medicare Supplements.
Can my doctor leave my plan in the middle of the year?
It can happen with Medicare Advantage plans. Contracts between hospitals and insurance companies do not always line up with the calendar. If you get a letter like this, call us and we will look at your options.
Do Medicare Supplement plans have networks?
Standard Medicare Supplement plans do not. You can see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that takes Medicare. A few Supplement plans, called Medicare SELECT, do use a network, so we always tell you which kind you are looking at.
Is the online provider directory always right?
Not always. Directories can be out of date. That is why we also suggest calling the doctor's office to ask which plans they will take next year.
What if I am already in the middle of treatment?
Tell us right away. Some plans offer a transition period for ongoing care when a provider leaves the network. You have to ask the plan, and the plan decides. We can help you ask the right questions.
Does it cost anything to have you check my doctors?
No. Our help is free, and there is no pressure to switch plans. If your plan still fits, we will tell you so.