Video: KSHB 41 — original announcement report on its official YouTube channel. Updated patient figures and guidance follow below.

Watch KSHB 41’s video · https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbApG2dbYF0

Families in Clay County who rely on an ACA Marketplace plan for care at Children’s Mercy face a network change beginning January 1, 2027.

In its updated reporting, KSHB 41 relayed the hospital’s statement that Medica’s Marketplace withdrawal affects approximately 400 current Children’s Mercy patients across eight counties.

The counties are Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte and Ray in Missouri, and Johnson and Wyandotte in Kansas.

The hospital said the other ACA plans serving the Kansas City metro were already out of network and have not contracted with Children’s Mercy for 2027.

This is a specific Marketplace access issue: the hospital’s statement says the change does not affect Medicaid, Medicare, employer-sponsored insurance, TRICARE or other commercial coverage.

That does not guarantee coverage under any individual policy; families should confirm their precise plan, location and services with their insurer.

For families arranging care

The hospital says affected families should keep their scheduled 2026 appointments and contact their insurer about continuity-of-care options for children already receiving treatment.

Children’s Mercy’s official out-of-network guide describes a process involving prior authorization and, in some cases, a Single Case Agreement before care.

The guide says this process can take 30–45 days, and approval is not guaranteed.

Families can use the hospital’s insurance and financial-resource pages to ask about their options rather than assuming every visit will be covered or that financial assistance will automatically replace lost benefits.

How neighbors can help

People concerned about access to specialized pediatric care can raise their concerns with their health plan and use the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance’s consumer-assistance resources.

The department recommends first contacting the insurer and keeping records of the response; it can investigate complaints within its authority, but a complaint is not a promise of a new hospital contract.

Neighbors who wish to support the hospital’s charitable work can also use Children’s Mercy’s official giving page.

A donation supports its mission; it does not change an insurance network or secure coverage for a particular patient.

KSHB 41’s original video reporting is linked with this story so readers can hear the coverage concerns directly.

At a glance

• Effective date: January 1, 2027

• Clay County is included in the affected Medica Marketplace market

• Confirm the exact policy and ask about continuity of care

• Use official insurer, hospital and consumer-assistance resources

Watch KSHB 41’s report, share these verified resources with a family who may need them, and support access to children’s care in the way that is right for you.

KSHB 41 — Elyse Schoenig, updated report and video

https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/childrens-mercy-aca-marketplace-exit-affecting-around-400-patients

KSHB 41 — original coverage announcement

https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/aca-marketplace-plans-no-longer-in-network-at-childrens-mercy-effective-jan-1-2027

Children’s Mercy — 2027 insurance participation

https://www.cmh.edu/your-visit/billing-and-insurance/insurance/

Children’s Mercy — out-of-network care process

https://www.childrensmercy.org/your-visit/billing-and-insurance/insurance/what-if-i-have-an-out-of-network-plan/

Missouri DCI — consumer questions and complaints

https://insurance.mo.gov/consumer-complaints/insurance-complaints

Children’s Mercy — official giving page

https://give.childrensmercykids.org/give/280980