Our Purpose
Connecting members to quality, whole-health care and support to live their healthiest lives
At Meridian, we leverage a uniquely local approach and strong community partnerships to connect members to quality, whole-health care. With tailored benefits and extra support, we help members thrive, physically and mentally.
Through innovative solutions to healthcare and active community involvement, we can positively impact the health of the people we serve across our state.
A focus on whole-health care.
A uniquely local approach.
A trusted partner to members, providers, and community organizations.
A health plan that can transform the health of the community, one person at a time.
Meridian member voices
Invested nearly $2.6M in more than 80 community-based organizations and programs with our Health Happens Here Grants™ and the Centene Foundation since 2022
Empowered communities with $98M+ in Business Enterprise Program (BEP) vendors in 2024 and led managed care plans in BEP spend in 2024*
Increased provider satisfaction by nearly 20% since 2023, according to the 3rd party Centene 2024 Annual Provider Satisfaction Survey
Launched a small business Lightning Loan Program in partnership with Liberty Bank and Trust, granting $500,000 in seed funding to support $2.5M in lending power for minority owned/led small businesses
Proudly partnered with the Chicago Fire FC to implement impactful social and emotional learning through the P.L.A.Y.S. program**, which drove a 24% increase in mental well-being according to the participant survey
Provided $2M in critical housing infrastructure with the support of Centene Foundation
* IAMHP 2024 BEP Report
**PLAYS (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer) engages 1,500 kids annually from 60+ Chicago Public Schools from 25 underserved neighborhoods. See more.
Maternal health inequities among certain minority groups in the U.S. are high. These can lead to preterm births, low birthweight infants, and even pregnancy-related maternal death. That’s why Meridian collaborates with providers and community organizations to actively address these alarming disparities. We strive to engage with moms-to-be early in their pregnancies to foster improved health outcomes. Our MomCare programs connect Illinois moms and babies to the care and resources they need.
"In the last 25 years, we've learned that despite all of our efforts, disparities are getting worse. We can't wait to start addressing disparities. At Meridian, we are evolving our programs to ensure they have an intentional equity lens. We're collaborating with community-based organizations and our providers. We are funding a mobile OB clinic to address maternal health deserts in Central Illinois and funding a doula program. And we are committed to establishing the foundational work to take our programs to the next level based on data."
– Cristal Gary, Meridian’s Plan President and CEO discussed how we can scale solutions that foster health equity in a panel discussion at the 2024 Annual National Minority Quality Health Forum Leader Summit.
From pregnancy to first steps and beyond, Meridian supports new and expecting mothers. Our Start Smart for Your Baby maternal health program aims to improve access to culturally appropriate whole-health care, along with education and resources for growing families. Moms can access mental health services and breastfeeding support, learn where to find diapers and how to sign up for WIC to access free, healthy food, and much more.
Through Meridian’s partnership with Vheda Health, high-risk pregnant members can receive specialized monitoring and support through remote patient monitoring technologies. This program enables close monitoring of maternal and fetal health, allowing for early intervention and proactive management of high-risk pregnancies. Since go-live, the Vheda Health program has supported the delivery of over 2,000 babies, 86% of which were full-term with an average gestational age of 38 weeks.
Meridian offers a robust rewards program for new and expecting moms, promoting positive health outcomes for mom and baby. Members can earn up to $250 and baby gear ($140 value) for completing prenatal care visits, well-child visits for babies, and immunizations.
Baby showers offer a uniquely local way to celebrate new and expectant mothers and provide them with essential baby items including diapers, bottles, bibs, bathtubs, and more. With support from healthcare professionals and community partners, events feature demonstrations about safe sleeping, oral hygiene, car seat safety, and the importance of breastfeeding and postpartum care.
One of the biggest challenges facing minorities in the healthcare system, especially during pregnancy, is lack of advocacy. Low-income women often do not have a network of support. A doula can be the other person in the room advocating for the mother, alerting medical staff about complications. This is why Meridian is investing in doula programs by offering grants to organizations that put doulas in communities where access to care is lacking. For example, Meridian is funding two doulas to provide services to pregnant women in South Chicago (not limited to Meridian members).
Member voices: Laura
Laura*, a Spanish-only speaking Meridian member was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and epilepsy. Through her care manager and an interpreter, she was able to navigate her health journey during and after pregnancy. She connected to care for her complex postpartum needs after giving birth to twin girls, resulting in a 7-day hospital stay. She also continues to see a neurologist to manage her epilepsy.
*Name changed to protect member’s identity.
Whole health begins with mental health. Our innovative MindCare programs are designed to improve access to mental healthcare and close care gaps. In 2023, nearly one-third of adults in Illinois reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder.1 And suicide is the third leading cause of death in young adults ages 15 to 34 in Illinois, and the 11th leading cause overall.2
Meridian is working to improve mental healthcare for our members and their communities through programs and education for our providers and care teams.
1. https://www.kff.org/statedata/mental-health-and-substance-use-state-fact-sheets/illinois
2. https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/suicide-prevention.html
Support for youth and teens
Meridian’s R.E.A.C.H. program combines resources and activities with traditional therapies to help children with symptoms of depression. Care managers encourage members and their parents to participate in programs like animal assisted therapy, YMCA programs, art therapy, and parent support groups. Care managers are trained to provide support and education to best help children in need.
Main Stay Therapeutic Farm provides a uniquely local therapeutic pilot program for children ages 6 to 18 residing within 15 miles of Richmond, Illinois. Children receive animal assisted education on a working farm and interact with farm animals and peers in a group setting.
Pyx Health support teens with loneliness, anxiety, and depression by connecting them with trained staff for relatable, positive support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through a mobile app. The program includes services like counseling and crisis lines, resources including LGBTQ+ support and life skills, activities for bullying, self-image, and emotions, and structured activities that offer humor and support.
Equip Health treats children, teens, and adults with eating disorders and co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, and OCD via a fully virtual platform.
The No One Eats Alone Day initiative aims to combat social isolation and create a culture of belonging. In partnership with Centene Foundation and Beyond Differences, we held an event for Gary Comer Middle School students. Participants enjoyed a healthy breakfast along with fun activities to complete with their peers to promote building new friendships.
Suicide and substance use prevention
Choose Tomorrow is a suicide prevention program that helps members identified as at risk for suicide get help.
HALO helps those struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol get support from a care coordinator to take steps toward recovery.
Telehealth services
Meridian’s network includes over 26,000 behavioral health providers. Some offer virtual care via cell phone, tablet, or computer. Therapy, psychiatry, and medication management are available for:
- People who are anxious or depressed
- Women who are pregnant or going through postpartum depression
- People diagnosed with mental illness
- Family relationships
- Older adults with health issues
Member voices: Chloe
18-year-old Chloe received support from Meridian to help her manage attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression. With the R.E.A.C.H. program, a care manager, therapist, and psychiatrist developed a care plan to help Chloe cope, and feel focused and empowered to improve her overall health. She also stopped smoking.
*Name changed to protect member’s identity.
Partnership with Positive Development
Meridian and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services provided a grant to help Positive Development open a new autism care center in the east St. Louis metro area. Services include mental healthcare, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy. It also provides space for caregiver and employee training. Research for therapies used by Positive Development providers consistently shows significant improvement in functional development and decrease in caregiver stress with Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters (PLAY) therapy. The DIRFloortime-based weekly intervention program also demonstrated improved communication between parent and child ages 8 to 15 years old.
"We have seen the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder increase across the board, and we hope that this center will improve the quality of life and healthcare for those so affected. We are thrilled to expand services to these families."
– Cristal Gary, Meridian’s Plan President and CEO
Meridian helps our members thrive, wherever they are. Care in Our Community offers programs to help members receive the right care and support, all in their own communities.
Socioeconomic factors such as income and education influence a person’s health. Racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately impacted by these factors.
Meridian maintains NCQA Health Equity Accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to achieving healthcare equity for our members and the communities where they live. Meridian is also investing in programs to support health equity.
“We provided grants to organizations that put doulas in communities where Black mothers are, to support these communities. Doulas give another voice and advocate so someone else is there to support moms.”
– Dr. Rutu Ezhuthachan, Meridian's Chief Medical Officer on how Meridian is working to close care gaps on ABC 7 Chicago News
Meridian offers:
- The Chicago Fire Foundation P.L.A.Y.S. (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer) Program, presented by Meridian, focuses on improving academic performance and development of key social and emotional skills of elementary school students through a sports-based curriculum. Along with teaching soccer skills, the program teaches values such as emotional control, goal setting and attainment, cooperation, respect, communication, and teamwork.
- Together with the Centene Foundation, Meridian is providing a $135,000 grant to City of Refuge - Chicago for nutritious meals for Youth Sports Conference players and Chicago Westside Police. Along with Centene Foundation, we also donated 1,500 grocery bags filled with farm-fresh local produce.
- Meridian and the Chicago Police Department District 15 partner to host a weekly program, Hip Hop Tuesdays. Youth from the area come to hang out, play video and board games, and spend time with local officials. The event provides a safe space for youth to relax, get assistance with schoolwork, or simply talk with others.
In August 2023, Meridian presented a Health Happens Here Grant™ to Dream Center Peoria, a faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping families living in poverty. The grant helped the center build an indoor playground and offer mobile units providing showers, bathroom facilities, haircuts, laundry services, and meals at no charge to community members in need.
- Meridian sponsors the United Way’s April Food Day, an annual food collection event supporting food security in the south and southwest Chicago suburbs. Alongside 160+ volunteers, Meridian helps assemble over 100,000 pounds of food to distribute to 10 area food pantries.
- Every November and December, Meridian sponsors several turkey and ham giveaways across the state. In November 2023, Meridian distributed 1,060 hams and 1,453 turkeys, a value of nearly $90,000, ensuring families in Alton, Belleville, Canton, Chicago, Harrisburg, Harvey, Jacksonville, Lyons, Springfield, Mt. Vernon, and Waukegan had a Thanksgiving meal.
- Meridian is a providing a $150,000 grant to Roseland Community Hospital (Roseland) to support its mobile mammography unit. Together we are bringing breast cancer screening services to community-based groups, nonprofits, churches, clinics, and other local organizations on Chicago’s South Side.
- Meridian donated $1 million to fund the establishment of Humboldt Park Health’s (HPH) new Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic to serve the North Side of Chicago, bringing comprehensive and evidence-based behavioral health services to the community. HPH providers treat patients with substance misuse issues, offer case management counseling, help patients manage their prescribed mental health drugs, and more.
- Meridian is partnering with OSF HealthCare, an integrated health system with a network of acute care hospitals and home health providers for a Mobile OB Van. Along with the Centene Foundation, we are funding $1.365M to purchase, staff, and stock the van. We anticipate serving 1,950 pregnant or postpartum women (not just members) in the next three years.
- Together with Univision, we are spreading awareness on important health topics to our Spanish-speaking members. Our most recent video with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition shared the importance of women’s health screenings, preparing for appointments.
- In partnership with Chicago Fire, we are sharing important health information, including vaccines, via social media.
Every summer, Meridian supports back-to-school events throughout Illinois, helping prepare children for a successful year. These events provide backpacks, school supplies, and fun activities. Some events even include haircuts for kids, health screenings, dental exams, and immunizations.
Meridian members who live in Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities or nursing homes in Cook County, Illinois may qualify for the Community Transitions Initiative. The program helps those who move from a care facility to independent living residences in the community. Recommended members work with a care manager to make a transition plan, identifying goals and services needed, a community in which to live, and setting regular follow-ups to ensure they receive care and feel safe.
Meridian strives to support and strengthen inclusive, patient-centric care through education. Our clinical staff and providers can access free, high-quality education to support ongoing professional development and maintenance of clinical licensure through the Centene Institute for Advanced Health Education. Research-informed education keeps us at the forefront of delivering premier healthcare solutions and allows us to retain and develop the industry’s most skilled workforce. Among the many courses offered are:
- Improving Outcomes for Babies Who Require Neonatal Intensive Care
- Evolving Care of the Prenatally Opioid Exposed Neonate
- Emphasizing the Role of the Fourth Trimester in Women’s Health
- Vaccine Hesitancy: How to Identify and Approach the “Movable Middle”
The Chicago Fire Foundation P.L.A.Y.S. (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer) Program, presented by Meridian, is a globally recognized and awarded program serving under-resourced students and families across 60 Chicago Public Schools, where 95% of participants live at or below the U.S. poverty level–using soccer to teach vital social and emotional skills like teamwork, resilience, and the importance of physical and mental health.
We’ve seen a 24% increase in reported mental well-being among P.L.A.Y.S. participants, and an 8% rise in youth who now understand the connection between healthy eating and cognitive health.
This program has provided 4,500 underserved youth a chance to experience a Chicago Fire game in person, many for the first time, helping to reinforce health and wellness messaging through play.
Whether it’s showing up in neighborhood programming together, having a Chicago Fire player meet with the community, or hosting a soccer clinic, Meridian and the Chicago Fire have collaborated more than 50 times in the past two years, reaching over 3M people in the Chicagoland communities.
Together we have raised awareness of important topics such as mental wellness, health screenings, and reinforced messaging of food as medicine through more than 25 digital and social storytelling pieces.
Broader community engagement has also grown, with a 9% increase among Chicago Fire fans interested in their personal healthcare and an impressive 79% increase in those who regularly receive vaccines and boosters.
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