 | July 2026 | |
| |
| Provider Portal  Prior Authorization Provider Notices Provider Manual Practice Updates |
| |
| |
| Meet our new Chief Medical Officer: Dr. Henish Bhansali |  | | Join us in welcoming Henish Bhansali, MD, FACP, as Meridian’s new Chief Medical Officer. A recognized thought leader in value-based care and population health management, Dr. Bhansali holds an appointment as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health and most recently served as CMO of Medical Home Network. “It’s a privilege to join the Meridan team and help carry forward its commitment to caring for what matters across the state,” Bhansali says. “I look forward to advancing our vision of being a leader in government-sponsored healthcare through strong collaboration with members, providers, community partners, and government stakeholders.” | | | |
| |
| Meridian awarded contract to continue serving HealthChoice Illinois enrollees | | In June, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services announced the Medicaid managed care organizations awarded contracts to serve approximately 2.4 million individuals enrolled in HealthChoice Illinois through at least 2030. Meridian is proud to be among the health plans selected to manage care for enrollees under the new contract, which emphasizes equitable access, quality, and the promotion of whole-person care.  | | | |
| |
| Live demos that support Continuity of Care | | If you are involved in care coordination and performance improvement, join us for an overview of the Continuity of Care Plus (COC+) program and a live demonstration of the Centene Clinical Action platform. Learn how to use provider tools designed to assist you in closing care gaps. View schedule & register | | | |
| | Strengthen your expertise in risk adjustment and coding accuracy | | Our Clinical Documentation Improvement webinar series is designed to help providers and staff gain confidence in adjustment methodologies, receive practical guidance on purposeful documentation, and improve coding accuracy. Register today and earn continuing education credits for upcoming courses focused on optimizing coding and documentation for diabetes, behavioral health, and value-based care. Upcoming courses | | | | | |
| |
| Wayspring: Advancing recovery for members with substance use disorder |  | | We’re excited to launch a new partnership to support members ages 18 and older with substance use disorder (SUD). Through Wayspring, eligible members across the state can receive a range of SUD services, delivered via telehealth or in person by licensed Wayspring providers working in collaboration with Meridian’s care management team. Learn more about the program that aims to reduce barriers to care for members seeking SUD treatment, including how to refer a patient. | |  | | | |
| |
| Back-to-school readiness | | Now is a good time to conduct outreach and education to families. Ensure your patients have a healthy start to the school year by reviewing immunization records with parents or guardians and reminding them of the importance of timely vaccinations and well-child visits. | | | |
| |
| Find policies, procedures, and protocols in our updated provider manual |  | | Review the June 2026 edition of the Meridian Provider Manual, with key revisions including: | | • | Updated information about behavioral health crisis resources and procedures | | • | New details about interpretation resources and alternative formats | | • | The most current utilization management guidance for providers | | | Manuals, Forms, and Resources | | | |
| |
| Your last chance to register for a 2026 Provider Town Hall |  | | Meridian and YouthCare teams have thoroughly enjoyed connecting with providers and their staff at our annual, statewide provider town halls. Reservations are going fast for our final events, so we hope you can join us. | | | | | |
| |
| Quality Education webinar: Strategies and solutions for navigating peripartum depression | | Early recognition of depression during pregnancy improves outcomes for mothers and babies. Learn more at our next Quality Education webinar, which will cover: | | • | DSM-5-TR criteria for depressive disorder with peripartum onset | | • | Evidence-based recommendations for screening | | • | Interventions for peripartum depression treatment, coping, and support | | | Register: July 29 from 11 a.m. – noon (registration code: Quality) | | | |
| |
| Fee schedule updates, rate changes, & billing updates | | Claim alerts and known issues are posted on our website, along with updates about proactively reprocessing claims. Claims should not be resubmitted unless otherwise indicated. For billing questions, contact your assigned Provider Engagement representative. If your practice doesn’t have an assigned representative, please complete our intake form. | | |
| |
| In case you missed it | | • | Novo Nordisk will discontinue Rybelsus tablets; affected patients must transition to Ozempic tablets in July. Learn more, including new prescriptions and prior authorization requirements for Meridian and YouthCare members. | | • | Stay informed about upcoming federal changes to Medicaid by visiting HFS’ Federal Resource Center with links to register for upcoming webinars. | | • | Check out our updated HEDIS Quality Reference Guide that aligns with the current technical specifications from NCQA. | | |
| |
| Meridian and our family of plans connect communities across the state to the whole‑health care they need, right where they are. | |
| |
| |
| Meridian complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). | |
| |
| |
| |
