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Medicare Advantage Change

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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 is why it’s important to watch for updates to know:

  • Which insurance plans your doctors and providers are contracted with as part of your insurance network.

  • When you can change Medicare Advantage plans during the year.

    • Annual Enrollment Period for 2027 coverage - October 15 to December 7, 2026.
    • Open Enrollment Period for 2027 coverage – January 1 to March 31, 2027.

In 2026, Mass General Brigham primary care providers are in-network with the following Medicare Advantage plans:

  • MA plans* accepted by providers at or affiliated with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital: Aetna and Mass General Brigham Health Plan
  • MA plans* accepted by providers at or affiliated with Mass General Brigham Primary Care (formerly North Shore Physicians Group, Harbor Medical Associates, Community Physicians, Pentucket Medical, Newton-Wellesley Medical Group, Integrated Care): Aetna, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, and Tufts Medicare Preferred

*Please note, this network change applies to Eastern Massachusetts only. Primary Care locations at CDH, CDMG, MVH, NCH, WDH, and WHP may accept other Medicare Advantage plans.

**Please note, Cooley Dickinson primary care providers will no longer be in-network in Blue Cross' Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO networks beginning October 1, 2026. We are committed to ensuring members and patients have the resources they need to navigate this change smoothly, and we have established a coordinated 90-day transition period through December 31. See "Cooley Dickinson frequently asked questions" below to learn more about this change.

Mass General Brigham frequently asked questions

When can I change plans?

Every fall, patients who are Medicare eligible can shop for Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans during the fall Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. This Annual Enrollment Period generally begins mid-October and ends the first week of December. Coverage under the plan you choose during the fall Annual Enrollment Period takes effect January 1 of the new year.

There is also a second Open Enrollment Period that gives Medicare patients a second chance to enroll in a new plan if they missed the previous fall Annual Enrollment Period, or if they are not happy with the plan they chose for any reason. The second Open Enrollment Period takes place January 1st through March 31st of the new year. During this time, you may change plans once.

Can I still see my Mass General Brigham primary care provider if my insurance plan is not in-network in 2026?
Before you schedule or go to a primary care appointment in 2026, we encourage you to call your insurance company to learn what your out-of-network benefits are. Different plans have different requirements about which providers you can see and how your out-of-pocket costs are impacted. Please call your insurance company.
My Medicare plan is no longer in-network with Mass General Brigham primary care as of January 1, 2026, but my primary care provider supports and coordinates care I am currently receiving for a chronic condition or serious illness. Can I still see them?
Insurance companies are required to extend coverage for some patients who are in active treatment or have other serious or complex care needs. Call your insurance company to learn more.
Were there changes to the Medicare Advantage plans Mass General Brigham primary care providers will be in-network with in 2026?
Yes. Mass General Brigham announced primary care providers will be in-network with Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Aetna, and Tufts Medicare Preferred. Primary care providers are no longer in-network with UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) Medicare Advantage plans.
How frequently does Mass General Brigham change its health plan relationships?
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.
If I see a provider who is not in my insurance network, how do my out-of-pocket costs change?
We encourage you to call your health plan before scheduling an appointment with a doctor or for services that are not included in your insurance network to learn about what your out-of-network benefits are, based on your specific plan.
How do I make sure my Mass General Brigham primary care providers are in-network with my health plan?
The best way to confirm if your Mass General Brigham providers are in-network is to call your insurance company. A representative with your insurance plan can answer questions about your specific benefits coverage and which providers are in network.
What if I experience a medical emergency? Can I go to a Mass General Brigham hospital for emergency care no matter what insurance plan I have?
Yes. 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 to you.
What is Mass General Brigham Health Plan?

Mass General Brigham Health Plan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mass General Brigham and has all Mass General Brigham providers as in-network providers.

If you would like to learn more about this plan option, as well as others, you can speak with your licensed insurance broker about your options.

If you don’t have a licensed insurance broker, representatives with the following plans in-network with Mass General Brigham primary care providers can help you determine which plan is right for you.

Mass General Brigham Health Plan, 877-450-9260

Aetna, 844-742-0935

Tufts Medicare Preferred, 617-972-9400

You may also visit the Medicare.gov website for a full list of plan options and other resources.

Cooley Dickinson frequently asked questions

What is changing?
Cooley Dickinson primary care providers will no longer be in-network in Blue Cross' Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO networks beginning October 1, 2026.
What is not changing?

Cooley Dickinson primary care providers remain in Blue Cross' commercial networks. Mass General Brigham specialty and hospital care will remain in-network for Blue Cross Medicare Advantage and commercial plans, including at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

Patients may also continue to visit Mass General Brigham Express Care (formerly Urgent Care) practices for healthcare needs.

When can I change plans?

Every fall, patients who are Medicare eligible can shop for Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans during the fall Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. This Annual Enrollment Period begins mid-October and ends the first week of December. Coverage under the plan you choose during the fall Annual Enrollment Period takes effect on January 1 of the new year.

There is also a second Open Enrollment Period that gives Medicare patients a second chance to enroll in a new plan if they missed the previous fall Annual Enrollment Period, or if they are not happy with the plan they chose for any reason. The second Open Enrollment Period takes place January 1 through March 31 of the new year. During this time, you may change plans once.

We encourage patients to explore options that best meet their health care needs during the upcoming Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period.

What should I do if I have a primary care appointment scheduled after October 1 but before January 1, 2027?

If a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage member needs to continue seeing their current primary care provider after October 1, we have established a coordinated 90-day transition period through December 31 to support them:

  • Continuity of care process: All Blue Cross Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO members can easily request continued access to their primary care provider. Members can submit a continuity of care form directly or call the phone number on the back of their member ID card to have Blue Cross initiate the process.
  • No change in cost: For approved continuity of care, members will continue to see their provider at the in-network cost-sharing rate—there will not be any change in cost during this 90-day window.
Are there other plan options available to remain in-network starting January 1?
To continue to have in-network access to your Mass General Brigham Western Mass primary care providers in 2027, you will need to select a participating plan. Options include enrolling in traditional Medicare with a supplemental plan OR enrolling in another in-network Medicare Advantage plan for 2027 including Health New England, Tufts Medicare Preferred, and United Healthcare.
Can I still see my Mass General Brigham Western Mass primary care provider if my insurance plan is not in-network?
Before you schedule or go to a primary care appointment, we encourage you to call your insurance company to learn what your out-of-network benefits are. Different plans have different requirements about which providers you can see and how your out-of-pocket costs are impacted. Please call your insurance company.
My Medicare plan is no longer in-network with Mass General Brigham Western Mass primary care, but my primary care provider supports and coordinates care I am currently receiving for a chronic condition or serious illness. Can I still see them?

If a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage member needs to continue seeing their current primary care provider after October 1, we have established a coordinated 90-day transition period through December 31 to support them:

  • Continuity of care process: All Blue Cross Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO members can easily request continued access to their primary care provider. Members can submit a continuity of care form directly or call the phone number on the back of their member ID card to have Blue Cross initiate the process.
  • No change in cost: For approved continuity of care, members will continue to see their provider at the in-network cost-sharing rate—there will not be any change in cost during this 90-day window.
What if I experience a medical emergency? Can I go to a Mass General Brigham hospital for emergency care no matter what insurance plan I have?

Yes. Mass General Brigham specialty and hospital care will remain in-network for patients with these plans.

Emergency care is always covered at all Mass General Brigham locations, regardless of what type of insurance plan you have.

Patients may also visit Mass General Brigham Express Care (formerly Mass General Brigham Urgent Care) for non-life-threatening illness or injuries. Nearby Mass General Brigham Express Care locations include the following. Please visit the Mass General Brigham website to learn more about each location, including hours and available services.

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