Mass General Brigham partners with Medicare Advantage (MA) companies that share our commitment to patient-centered care and prioritizing your health, well-being, and satisfaction. The plans we partner with can sometimes change, which could affect your coverage or out-of-pocket costs. If you would like to change your Medicare Advantage plan for 2026, you will have the opportunity to do so during the upcoming Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15–Dec. 7, 2025).
Mass General Brigham primary care providers will be in-network with the Medicare Advantage plans below starting January 1, 2026.
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Yes. Starting January 1, 2026, Mass General Brigham primary care providers will no longer be in-network with UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA)* Medicare Advantage plans. Both PPO and HMO UnitedHealthcare and BCBSMA Medicare Advantage plans are affected.
*Excludes CDMG - Primary Care Practices in Amherst, Belchertown, Deerfield, Hadley, Northampton, Oxbow, and Williamsburg
Mass General Brigham generally reviews our Medicare Advantage relationships every few years. While we cannot say with certainty that there will not be future changes, we do not expect to change our health plan partners every year.
No. This network change only impacts primary care providers. Mass General Brigham hospitals and specialists will remain in-network with UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Medicare Advantage plans in 2026.
However, it’s important to know that if you choose to keep your UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO MA plan after January 1, 2026, you will be required to find a new, in-network primary care provider outside of Mass General Brigham, and access to Mass General Brigham specialists and other services will be subject to your plan’s and/or your primary care provider’s referral requirements.
No. Until January 1, 2026, you can continue to see your primary care provider as you normally would, without any changes to your current benefits or coverage.
As of January 1, 2026, your Mass General Brigham primary care provider will no longer be in-network with UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Medicare Advantage plans.
If you have a PPO Medicare Advantage plan, you are generally responsible for a higher portion of the cost of your primary care if you choose to keep your UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts PPO MA plan and see a provider who is out-of-network after January 1, 2026.
If you choose to keep your UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO MA plan after January 1, 2026, you will be required to find a new, in-network primary care provider outside of Mass General Brigham, and access to Mass General Brigham specialists and other services will be subject to your plan’s and/or your primary care provider’s referral requirements.
You can call your health plan to confirm what your out-of-network benefit is and how your costs will change.
If you have a PPO Medicare Advantage plan, you are generally responsible for a higher portion of the cost of your primary care if you choose to keep your UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts PPO MA plan and see a provider who is out-of-network after January 1, 2026.
If you choose to keep your UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO MA plan after January 1, 2026, you will be required to find a new, in-network primary care provider outside of Mass General Brigham, and access to Mass General Brigham specialists and other services will be subject to your plan’s and/or your primary care provider’s referral requirements.
You can call your health plan to confirm what your out-of-network benefit is and how your costs will change.
You can call your health plan to confirm what your out-of-network benefit is and how your costs will change.
During the Medicare Advantage Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 through December 7, you can explore other Medicare Advantage plans that will have Mass General Brigham primary care providers as in-network providers in 2026.
Resources are available to help you learn more about your Medicare with supplement or Medicare Advantage plan options. Changing to a Medicare Advantage plan contracted with Mass General Brigham in 2026 will allow you to keep your current primary care provider in-network.
For questions about this network change or to be directed to a licensed insurance representative who can help you compare coverage and costs and enroll in a plan that meets your needs, you can call 833-354-4420.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also offer educational resources. Visit www.cms.gov/medicare/enrollment-renewal/health-plans/advantage
Find seminar dates for Mass General Brigham’s partnering MA plans below:
If you have a PPO Medicare Advantage plan, you are generally responsible for a higher portion of the cost of your primary care if you choose to keep your UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts PPO MA plan and see a provider who is out-of-network after January 1, 2026.
If you choose to keep your UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO MA plan after January 1, 2026, you will be required to find a new, in-network primary care provider outside of Mass General Brigham, and access to Mass General Brigham specialists and other services will be subject to your plan’s and/or your primary care provider’s referral requirements.
To find a new primary care provider that will be in-network with UnitedHealthcare or BCBSMA Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, please reach out to your health plan directly using the phone number on the back of your insurance card. You may also be able to find this information on the UnitedHealthcare and BCBSMA websites.
Mass General Brigham primary care providers will continue to be participating providers with UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Medicare Advantage plans until January 1, 2026. You are welcome to keep that appointment; your coverage will remain the same. If you would like to keep your Mass General Brigham primary care provider over the long term and would like more information about finding a new plan that keeps your primary care provider in-network, you can call 833-354-4420.
If you choose to stay enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Medicare Advantage plan:
If you choose a new plan that has Mass General Brigham primary care providers as in-network providers:
Emergency care is always covered at all Mass General Brigham locations, regardless of what type of insurance plan you have. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please visit the location nearest you.
If you are admitted to a hospital, you will be fully covered for your care. This network change only affects primary care providers and services.
If you want to consider switching plans, the annual enrollment period for Medicare Advantage is October 15 through December 7. You can call 833-354-4420 to be directed to a licensed insurance representative who can help you compare coverage and costs and enroll in a plan that meets your needs.
Mass General Brigham Health Plan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mass General Brigham and is in-network with all Mass General Brigham providers.
If you would like to learn more about this plan option, as well as others that may allow you to continue seeing your primary care providers in-network in 2026, you can speak with your licensed insurance representative about your options.
If you don’t have a licensed insurance representative, you can call 833-354-4420 with any questions you have about the UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Medicare Advantage network change, or to be directed to a licensed insurance representative who can help you determine which plan is right for you during the annual enrollment period, October 15–December 7.
No, your provider does not recommend one health plan over another. The most important thing is to choose a plan that is right for you.
As of January 1, 2026, Mass General Brigham primary care providers will be in-network with Aetna, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, and Tufts (for Mass General Brigham Primary Care only (formerly North Shore Physicians Group, Harbor Medical Associates, Community Physicians, Pentucket Medical, Newton-Wellesley Medical Group, Integrated Care).
If you would like to learn more about these plan options, you can speak with your licensed insurance representative. If you don’t have a licensed insurance representative, you can call 833-354-4420 with any questions you have about the UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Medicare Advantage network change, or to be directed to a licensed insurance representative who can help you determine which plan is right for you during the annual enrollment period, October 15–December 7.
This change is occurring as new plans have been announced for the 2026 Medicare Annual Open Enrollment. Most plans have some changes to premium and benefits, in addition to the participation decision announced by Mass General Brigham. For any questions about this network change or insurance plans, it’s best to call our dedicated call center at 833-354-4420. A licensed insurance representative has the information you need to understand your plan options, and can help you compare and contrast different plans during the Medicare Open Enrollment period (October 15 - December 7).
You can call 833-354-4420 if you have questions about the UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Medicare Advantage network change, or to be directed to a licensed insurance representative who can help you determine which plan is right for you during the open enrollment period, October 15–December 7.