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

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.

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.