Medicare Advantage Change
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. See "Cooley Dickinson frequently asked questions" below to learn more about this change.
Mass General Brigham frequently asked questions
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.
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.
*Please note, this network change excludes CDMG - Primary Care Practices in Amherst, Belchertown, Deerfield, Hadley, Northampton, Oxbow, and Williamsburg
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
BCBSMA has notified us that Mass General Brigham Western Massachusetts primary care providers will be excluded from their network for BCBSMA Medicare Advantage plans, beginning October 1, 2026.
This means that, as of October 1, 2026, patients with a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage HMO plan will not be covered to see their primary care provider.
Patients with a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage PPO product can continue to see their primary care providers but may have higher out-of-pocket costs.
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.
HMO plan members will not have primary care coverage. Patients are encouraged to call the number on the back of their insurance cards to discuss options OR visit a Mass General Brigham Express Care site for urgent needs.
For PPO plan members, we would recommend moving your appointment before October 1 if possible. If you cannot reschedule, please note your out of pocket costs may be higher. We recommend reaching out to the number on the back of your insurance card to discuss other options.
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.