St. Louis – October 15, 2026 -- St. Louis residents eligible for Medicare can choose Essence Healthcare Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 with premiums starting at $0 and Flex Card benefits of up to $2,900 on select plans. Annual enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2026, for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

All major St. Louis health systems stay in-network

Essence, founded by doctors, has served Medicare members in St. Louis for more than two decades. The 2027 lineup keeps all major St. Louis health systems in-network. Dental, vision, hearing and fitness benefits are included, with offerings varying by plan. Flex Card amounts also vary by plan and apply to eligible expenses.

Approximately 98% of covered medications will remain on the formulary for 2027. Essence president Jordan Reigel said the plans reflect what members say matters most: trusted local doctors, strong benefits and affordable options.

Costco joins the preferred pharmacy network

Costco will join Essence's preferred retail pharmacy network in 2027, adding another place to fill prescriptions. Members can also spend eligible over-the-counter Flex Card dollars on qualifying purchases at Costco.

A redesigned portal and app simplify plan management

Essence is introducing a redesigned member portal for 2027 that gathers healthcare and benefit information in one place. Members can access claims and ID cards, navigate benefits, and find answers in a new Knowledge Base. They can also receive relevant health and plan information. The MyEssence mobile app lets members manage their plan on the go.

The Oura Ring benefit continues on select St. Louis plans. Under a physician-led clinical workflow, Oura sleep and breathing insights can help identify members who may benefit from additional screening for obstructive sleep apnea. Physicians remain at the center of care decisions.

More than 625,000 St. Louis-area residents are Medicare-eligible

To enroll, individuals must have both Medicare Parts A and B and live in the plan's service area. Plan options have been available for review since Oct. 1. Essence takes calls at 1-866-509-5398 (TTY: 711) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.