Information Regarding UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage, Brown University Health Contract Negotiation
Brown University Health and UnitedHealthcare have announced that, without a contract agreement, Brown University Health physicians will be out-of-network for certain UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans beginning July 1, 2026. This website provides information to help affected beneficiaries understand their options.
Last Updated: June 5, 2026
Brown University Health and UnitedHealthcare have announced that, absent a breakthrough in contract negotiations, Brown University Health physician offices will no longer accept UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans as of July 1, 2026. In other words, unless Brown University Health and UnitedHealthcare reach an agreement, Brown Health physician offices will be “out of network” for individuals who are enrolled in certain UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans. This announcement follows a similar breakdown in contract negotiations over Brown University Health hospitals in 2025, which led to Brown University Health hospitals going out of network with certain UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans.
“Rhode Islanders have every right to be frustrated at a health care system that doesn’t work for them,” said Attorney General Neronha. “Once again, patients are caught in the middle of a contract dispute they had no role in creating. When negotiations like this break down, the cost, literally and figuratively, is borne by older adults and people with complex medical needs who suddenly have to worry about whether they can keep seeing their doctors or afford their care. We are monitoring this closely to ensure patients have access to the resources they need to maintain access to care. Given this disruption, UnitedHealthcare and Brown University Health need to know that my Office expects them to be responsive to patient requests and to ensure all of the continuity of care resources to which patients are entitled are easily accessible. In the meantime, my Office will continue strenuously advocating for a system that prioritizes patients rather than using them as bargaining chips.”
What Affected Beneficiaries Can Do Now:
- Determine Whether You May Be Impacted. Only certain UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage products will be impacted. To determine whether you may be affected, you should closely review any mail or electronic correspondence you receive from UnitedHealthcare in the coming weeks. UnitedHealth reports that it has mailed letters to beneficiaries who received care from a Brown University Health physician within the past 12 months. Members can also contact UnitedHealthcare using the number on the back of their health insurance card.
- Consider Applying for A “Continuity of Care” Plan. UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage beneficiaries that are in the middle of receiving treatment from a Brown University Health physician may be eligible for a continuity of care (sometimes called “transitional care”) plan. If granted, this allows you to continue seeing your physician as if they were in-network for a period of time. People seeking to apply for continuity of care are directed to contact UnitedHealthcare using the phone number on their health insurance card.
- Review Your Enrollment Options. Individuals can switch insurance during the annual Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15, 2026, to December 7, 2026. You may wish to begin reviewing your coverage options now. Consumers with questions about changing their Medicare enrollment can contact the Rhode Island State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) toll free at 888-884-8721 or visit https://oha.ri.gov/Medicare. We will update this page if and when more information about special enrollment options becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
This announcement affects members enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, including Group Retiree plans, effective July 1, 2026. Members enrolled in any of the following plans offered by UnitedHealthcare are not impacted:
- Employer-sponsored commercial plans
- Individual Family Plan (IFP)
- Medicaid (UnitedHealthcare Community Plan)
- Dual Special Needs Plan (DSNP)
- Institutional Special Needs Plan (ISNP)
- Medicare supplemental plans
The following health care providers will be out of network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans effective July 1, 2026:
- Brown Dermatology
- Brown Emergency Medicine
- Brown Health Medical Group (Lifespan Physician Group)
- Brown Health Medical Group Primary Care (Coastal Medical)
- Brown Medicine
- Brown Neurology
- Brown Surgical (University Surgical)
- Brown Urology
- Miriam Hospital
- Newport Hospital
- Radiosurgery Center of Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Hospital
If an agreement is not reached, Brown University Health physicians will be out of network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans beginning July 1, 2026.
Yes. All plans must cover qualifying emergency services, even if those services are provided by an out-of-network hospital. Do not avoid seeking emergency care because of this change.
You will not owe more for qualifying emergency services provided at an out-of-network hospital. See 42 C.F.R. § 422.113(b)(1)(ii) (defining “emergency services”). You can review your plan documentation for information on coverage of emergency and urgently needed services.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage enrollees may still receive non-emergency care from out-of-network providers, but may face higher out-of-pocket costs or be responsible for the full cost of services. In many cases, these costs can be substantial.
Your UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan may still offer coverage for certain Brown University Health services even if no contract is reached. For example, Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover medically necessary services that are unavailable through network providers and generally must provide those services at in-network cost sharing. See 42 C.F.R. § 422.112(a)(1)(iii). Coverage and cost-sharing for other out-of-network services will depend on your specific plan and circumstances. To understand your specific out-of-network coverage, contact UnitedHealthcare using the number on your insurance card or review your plan’s “Evidence of Coverage” on the plan website.
If you are a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage enrollee and you are in the middle of receiving treatment from a Brown University Health physician, you may be eligible for a “continuity of care” plan. Continuity of care plans (sometimes called “transitional care plans”) can allow individuals who are undergoing a course of treatment to continue to see a provider as in-network for a period of time after the provider leaves the network. Patients must generally request approval of a continuity of care plan from their insurer. Because approval can take time, it is best to start this process as soon as possible.
If you wish to request approval for a continuity of care plan, you should call UnitedHealthcare using the number on the back of your health insurance card.
In addition, if you previously received approval from UnitedHealthcare for services scheduled to be received from a Brown University Health physician on or after July 1, 2026, UnitedHealthcare states that those services will be covered and that Brown University Health will be reimbursed just as Original Medicare would pay.
Individuals can switch insurance during the annual Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. You can begin researching your coverage options now. Consumers with questions about changing their Medicare enrollment can contact the Rhode Island State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) toll free at 888-884-8721 or visit https://oha.ri.gov/Medicare.
We will update this page if and when more information about special enrollment options becomes available.
There are additional resources available for patients who have questions or concerns:
- Consumers with questions about their Medicare enrollment can contact the Rhode Island State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) toll free at 888-884-8721 or visit https://oha.ri.gov/Medicare.
- UnitedHealthcare has established a dedicated website with responses to frequently asked questions: https://www.uhc.com/brown. Rhode Islanders with specific questions about their coverage can also contact UnitedHealthcare using the number on the back of their health insurance card.
- The Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) also offers free support to any Rhode Islander who needs help accessing health care or health insurance. Call 401-270-0101 or email callcenter@ripin.org. The RIPIN call center is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.
- The Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General will continue to monitor for future developments on this issue. If you are having trouble enforcing your rights under your plan or understanding your options, we can be reached at 401-274-4400 ext. 2514 or at healthcare@riag.ri.gov.