St. Joseph, Missouri: health insurance
St. Joseph is in Buchanan County. Here is what St. Joseph residents should know about coverage.
Coverage in St. Joseph
St. Joseph has about 70,634 residents (U.S. Census Bureau 2023 estimate).
Plans for St. Joseph residents are determined by Buchanan County, home to about 82,956 people (2023 estimate). Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace plans are offered by area, so use your ZIP code when you compare, and make sure a plan covers Buchanan County before you choose it.
- Turning 65 in St. Joseph? Your Initial Enrollment Period runs seven months around your birthday. CLAIM (Community Leaders Assisting the Insured of Missouri) offers free counseling at 800-390-3330.
- Buying your own plan? Shop through HealthCare.gov (federal Marketplace).
- Medicaid questions? MO HealthNet (Missouri Department of Social Services) handles applications.
Missouri note: Missouri's Medicare counseling program, CLAIM, is run as an independent nonprofit rather than directly out of a state agency -- a different structure than most states' SHIP programs, though it's still the officially designated, federally-recognized SHIP for Missouri.
Medicare plans leaving Buchanan County for 2027
Medicare plans are set by county, so this applies to residents of this city. 10 plans are listed in Buchanan County for 2026 but not for 2027, covering at least 1,592 people.
| Plan going away | Company | People enrolled (at least) |
|---|---|---|
| UHC Dual Complete MO-S3 (HMO-POS D-SNP) H0169-009 | UnitedHealthcare | 914 |
| UHC Dual Complete MO-V001 (HMO-POS D-SNP) H0169-008 | UnitedHealthcare | 246 |
| Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO) H2663-042 | Aetna (CVS Health) | 154 |
| Aetna Medicare Elite (PPO) H1608-052 | Aetna (CVS Health) | 113 |
| Aetna Medicare Value Plus (HMO) H2663-056 | Aetna (CVS Health) | 76 |
| UHC Medicare Advantage AM-0002 (Regional PPO) R3444-012 | UnitedHealthcare | 42 |
See all 10 plans leaving Buchanan County →
A plan can be listed because it was renumbered or replaced, not only because a company is leaving the county. When the same company keeps other plans there, members are usually moved to a replacement plan. Your plan should send you a notice, and Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) is when you can compare and switch. “People enrolled” is the number enrolled in that plan today (CMS hides counts of 10 or fewer). Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2026 and 2027, and CMS enrollment data from September 2026.
Colleges and universities near St. Joseph
Missouri public institutions include University of Missouri, Missouri State University, Missouri University of Science and Technology. Students and employees at these schools should check their school’s student health or benefits office, because campus plans and employer plans work differently from individual coverage. More about Missouri colleges.
Do St. Joseph and Buchanan County have the same plans?
Plans are offered by service area, and St. Joseph falls under Buchanan County. A plan that serves Buchanan County is generally the one that applies to you.
Do I have to enroll if I call?
No. A call is a conversation about your options.
St. Joseph residents: call 855-367-1095
Call Lander LLC to go over your options. There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent, and you are never required to enroll in anything.
Call 855-367-1095Other major Missouri cities
- Kansas City
- St. Louis
- Springfield
- Columbia
- Independence
- Jefferson City
- Lee's Summit
- O'Fallon
- St. Charles
- Blue Springs
- St. Peters
- Joplin
Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed insurance agent (NPN 21255551), Lander LLC. Last updated October 3, 2026. This page is educational and is not a quote, an offer of coverage, or legal or tax advice.