UnitedHealthcare Coverage Changes

UnitedHealthcare (operating in New York State collectively as UnitedHealthcare, Oxford Health Plans, and Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company) has made the decision to exclude NewYork-Presbyterian from their Medicare Advantage network starting January 1, 2026. You may have already received a letter from UnitedHealthcare regarding this decision.

What This Means for You

Starting January 1, 2026, care provided at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospitals or through the NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group practices will no longer be covered as in-network for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage patients. You may be able to switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan which will include NewYork-Presbyterian as an in-network provider after January 1, 2026.

At this time, providers who are part of ColumbiaDoctors and Weill Cornell Medicine will remain in-network. However, while you can continue to see your providers from ColumbiaDoctors and Weill Cornell Medicine, the care, specialties, and services patients receive at NewYork-Presbyterian (e.g., diagnostic testing, laboratory testing, pre-admission testing, procedures, ambulatory surgery, inpatient admissions, etc.) may not be covered as in-network, making it difficult, if not impossible, for your provider to care for you.

To Switch Plans

1. Individual Enrollees (HMO & POS Plans)

Individual enrollees can switch to a new health plan during the annual Open Enrollment Period, which is currently taking place from October 15 through December 7 (for an effective date of January 1, 2026), or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which is from January 1 through March 31 (for an effective date being the first day of the month following your election).

We encourage you to visit www.medicare.gov/plan-compare to learn more about the different health plans available to you. It is important to compare plans to make sure the one you select best meets your health care needs. If you need any assistance, please contact a Medicare representative by calling 1-800-633-4227.

2. Group Retirees

Employer sponsored plans may be offered to retired individuals who are eligible for Medicare. Additionally, it is possible that your former employer or plan sponsor may offer more than one health insurance option that you can enroll in and may offer different times for when you can change your health plan.

It is important to keep in mind that benefits for Medicare Advantage group retiree plans depend on whether the plan is a PPO or an HMO. The specific terms are set by your former employer or plan sponsor. Please contact your former employer or plan sponsor to learn more about the options available to you.

Participating Plans

For Medicare patients, NewYork-Presbyterian is currently in-network with the following health plans and companies:
 

Not all of the above-mentioned health insurance plans and companies are accepted at all NewYork-Presbyterian locations and affiliated practices. Please check with your provider’s office to determine which plans they participate in. 

Continuation of Ongoing Care

Certain patients, including those who are hospitalized or undergoing an active course of treatment before January 1, 2026, may qualify for continuity/transition-of-care coverage through UnitedHealthcare. Please call the UnitedHealthcare Member Services phone number found on the back of your insurance card to learn more.

Schedule Appointments Before January 1, 2026

If you have an appointment already scheduled after December 31 at one of the impacted facilities listed below, you may want to contact your Care Team to see if an earlier appointment is available.

What Happens Next

We understand that this situation is frustrating and stressful. At this time, there is no change in your health insurance coverage from UnitedHealthcare. You still have in-network access at the facilities listed below and with the providers currently accepting UnitedHealthcare through December 31.

We will continue to provide updates as they become available. We thank you for your understanding and for trusting us with your care.

Impacted Facilities

The following NewYork-Presbyterian Hospitals and organizations will no longer be in-network for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members starting January 1, 2026: 

• NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
  • NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
  • NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester 
• NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital
• NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Groups (Brooklyn, Hudson Valley, Queens, Westchester) 
• NewYork-Presbyterian Queens
• NewYork-Presbyterian The One
• NewYork-Presbyterian/The Spiral
• NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health
• Gracie Square Hospital
• Lawrence Home Care of Westchester
• The Rogosin Institute
• The Silvercrest Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation