Goodsurance

Enrollment & timing

Rhode Island Medicare Advantage Members Affected by the Brown Health Network Split Have Until August 31 to Switch Plans

CMS approved a Special Enrollment Period through August 31 for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage enrollees in Rhode Island after Brown University Health physicians left the network on July 1. The window closes in days.

By the Goodsurance editorial teamAugust 19, 2026

Rhode Island Medicare Advantage enrollees covered by UnitedHealthcare who rely on Brown University Health providers have until August 31, 2026, to use a Special Enrollment Period that CMS approved following the health system's departure from the insurer's network.

Brown University Health physicians stopped accepting UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans effective July 1, 2026, after contract negotiations ended without agreement. CMS subsequently approved a Special Enrollment Period for affected enrollees.

Rhode Island Medicare Advantage members have until August 31 to use the plan-switch window after Brown University Health left UnitedHealthcare's network.

The SEP is available to beneficiaries who are assigned to a Brown University Health provider, who are currently receiving care from one, or who received care from a Brown provider within the past three months. Eligible members may switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare, with the option to add a standalone Part D drug plan.

Members should look for a letter from UnitedHealthcare that explains the SEP details and effective dates. For help, members can call 1-800-MEDICARE or contact Rhode Island's State Health Insurance Assistance Program at 888-884-8721, or visit oha.ri.gov. The Rhode Island Attorney General's office has also published consumer guidance at riag.ri.gov/medicare-advantage.

Members who miss the August 31 deadline will generally need to wait for the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 through December 7, to make a plan change effective January 1, 2027.

In plain words

Brown University Health doctors stopped taking UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans on July 1, 2026. If you live in Rhode Island and use one of those doctors, you can switch your Medicare plan now. This special window to switch closes August 31, 2026. You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare. To get help, call 1-800-MEDICARE or call Rhode Island's free counseling line at 888-884-8721. If you do not act by August 31, you may have to wait until October 15 to change your plan.

Understand the basics first

Source: Rhode Island Attorney General
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