When you need healthcare services, knowing where to start can save both time and money. Missouri State University employees have access to a variety of campus-based healthcare resources, as well as an extensive network of participating providers through the Mercy PPO plan.

Before searching for community providers, consider whether your healthcare needs can be met through one of the convenient services already available on or through campus.

Campus Resources

Magers Health and Wellness Center

Magers offers a variety of healthcare services for eligible employees, including:

• Primary Care
• Treatment Clinic
• Laboratory Services
• Mental Health Services
• Nutritional Counseling and Dietitian Services
• Radiology
• Women’s Clinic
• Pharmacy

These services provide convenient access to care and may be a great first step for many healthcare needs.

Additional On-Campus Clinics

Missouri State also offers specialty services through:

• Learning Diagnostic Clinic
• Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
• PT Clinic

Depending on your needs, these clinics may provide services that eliminate the need to seek care elsewhere.

Finding a Mercy PPO Participating Provider

If you need services beyond those available on campus, you can search for participating providers through the Mercy PPO Provider Directory.

Access the directory at:

https://healthplan.mercy.net/directory/search

The directory allows you to search for providers by:

• Provider last name
• Specialty
• Location
• ZIP code
• County
• Distance from a selected location

Search by Specialty

One of the easiest ways to begin is by searching for a specialty. For example, if you are looking for counseling or therapy services, you can select Behavioral Health as the specialty.

You can then narrow your search by county, ZIP code, or geographic region to find providers near you.

Taking a few minutes to confirm network participation and authorization requirements before receiving care can help you maximize your benefits and avoid unnecessary costs. *Please note, that providers in-network are subject to change and it’s recommended to verify participation via the search feature rather than keeping stagnant lists. 

Don’t Find What You Need? Broaden Your Search

If your initial search returns limited results, consider:

• Increasing your search radius
• Searching a neighboring county
• Using a broader specialty category
• Removing some location restrictions

This can help identify additional participating providers that may still be within a reasonable travel distance.

Example: Greene County Behavioral Health Providers

The Mercy PPO network includes a substantial number of participating providers in the Springfield area. A recent search for Behavioral Health providers in Greene County returned more than 450 participating providers.

The large number of participating providers gives employees many options when selecting a provider that best fits their needs and preferences.

Example: Howell County Behavioral Health Providers

Employees located outside the Springfield area also have access to participating providers. A Behavioral Health search in Howell County returned 33 participating providers.

If you live in a more rural area and need additional options, expanding your search radius or including nearby counties may help identify more participating providers.

Important Reminder About Out-of-Network Providers

Employees and covered dependents may choose to receive care from either in-network or out-of-network providers. However, services received from out-of-network providers are subject to the plan’s out-of-network benefit levels, which may result in higher out-of-pocket costs.

If a medical professional refers you to an out-of-network provider because the needed services are not available within the network or for another clinical reason, you may be eligible to have the provider considered at the in-network level of benefits. In these situations, authorization is required before services are received.

If you have been referred to an out-of-network provider, contact Point C as soon as possible to discuss the referral and determine whether authorization is needed. Obtaining any required authorization in advance can help ensure your claims are processed correctly and help you maximize your available benefits.

Taking a few minutes to verify network participation and authorization requirements before receiving care can help you avoid unexpected costs and make the most of your Mercy PPO benefits.