Medicare Advantage Plans
Updated as of December 23, 2025
NewYork-Presbyterian and UnitedHealthcare (operating in New York State collectively as UnitedHealthcare, Oxford Health Plans, and Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company) have agreed to extend current in-network coverage through January 31, 2026, for Medicare Advantage members, while negotiations continue.
This means the care provided at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospitals or through the NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group practices will not be considered out-of-network starting January 1, 2026, as previously communicated by UnitedHealthcare.
What This Means for You
If we are unable to reach a new agreement by January 31, 2026, starting February 1, 2026, all NewYork-Presbyterian Hospitals and the practices that are part of the NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Groups will be considered out-of-network providers for most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members. Some exceptions apply:
- UnitedHealthcare’s changes to Medicare Advantage do not impact AARP Medigap/Supplemental policies.
- UnitedHealthcare’s changes to Medicare Advantage do not impact Group Retiree PPO Plans.
- Members who have Individual policies and Members who have Group HMO Plans may have out-of-network benefits (and subject to those benefits, may still have coverage at NewYork-Presbyterian).
You may be able to switch to a new plan to avoid potential loss of in-network coverage.
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 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which is from January 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026 (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:
- Aetna
- Anthem BCBS
- Cigna
- EmblemHealth (HIP/GHI)
- Fidelis
- Healthfirst
- MVP Health Care
- Wellcare
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
For patients who are undergoing an active course of treatment (inpatient or outpatient) before February 1, 2026, their scheduled appointments and/or treatments, including post-operative care, will be considered in-network until May 1, 2026. Starting May 2, 2026, unless approved by UnitedHealthcare, any subsequent non-emergency visits would be out-of-network. If a patient is pregnant, they will be considered in-network for the duration of their pregnancy, including postpartum care (delivery-related), which could be greater than 90 days.
Please call the UnitedHealthcare Member Services phone number found on the back of your insurance card to learn more about continuity/transition-of-care coverage.
Schedule Appointments Before February 1, 2026
If you have an appointment already scheduled after January 31, 2026, 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 January 31, 2026.
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
- 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
- Main Street Radiology (for commercial and Medicare Advantage members only)
- The Rogosin Institute
- The Silvercrest Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation