UHealth-UnitedHealthcare Deal Reached: Preferred Care Network Extended to Dec. 31, 2026
Current as of August 4, 2026, based on UnitedHealthcare and UHealth's official public statements.
Good news for South Florida seniors: UHealth (University of Miami Health System) and UnitedHealthcare have reached an agreement. If you have a UnitedHealthcare employer, Individual Family Plan (IFP), or Medicaid plan, your access to UHealth continues uninterrupted under a new multi-year contract.
For Preferred Care Network Medicare Advantage members, the news is also positive, though the story isn't fully over: UnitedHealthcare has extended in-network access to UHealth through December 31, 2026 — well past the September 1 date we and others had been reporting. UHealth will still become out of network for Preferred Care Network on January 1, 2027, but that date now lines up cleanly with the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, so members who want to keep a UHealth doctor have a real window to plan the switch with no coverage gap.
Here's everything that changed, straight from UnitedHealthcare's own updated announcement.
What Changed: The New Timeline
| UnitedHealthcare Plan Type | Status | Key Date |
|---|---|---|
| Employer-sponsored commercial plans | Resolved — new multi-year agreement | Ongoing, uninterrupted |
| Individual & Family Plans (IFP) | Resolved — new multi-year agreement | Ongoing, uninterrupted |
| Medicaid (UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Florida) | Resolved — new multi-year agreement | Ongoing, uninterrupted |
| Preferred Care Network (Medicare Advantage) | Extended, then ending — no further negotiation | In-network through Dec. 31, 2026; out of network starting Jan. 1, 2027 |
| All other UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans | Out of network | Currently — Preferred Care Network is the only UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan with UHealth access |
| Medicare Supplement (Medigap), any carrier | Not affected | Original Medicare has no networks — UHealth access continues regardless |
Key takeaway: If you're a Preferred Care Network member, you have five extra months of in-network UHealth access compared to what was originally announced — and unlike the original Sept. 1 scenario, this new Jan. 1, 2027 date lines up with your next Annual Enrollment Period, so there's no gap to plan around.
If You Have a Preferred Care Network Medicare Advantage Plan
Per UnitedHealthcare's own FAQ: this negotiation is over. "UHealth will be out of network for our Medicare Advantage Preferred Care Network, beginning Jan. 1, 2027." There is no more "expected" or "if no agreement is reached" language — this date is final.
The practical upside: because Jan. 1, 2027 is when new plan selections from the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2026) take effect, members who choose a 2027 plan that includes UHealth during AEP will have zero gap in coverage. Your current Preferred Care Network plan stays in force, UHealth stays in-network, right up until your new plan begins.
Key takeaway: You don't need to do anything before Dec. 31, 2026 to protect your UHealth access — but you do need to make an AEP decision (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7) about your 2027 coverage.
UHealth Is Still Out of Network for Other UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans
One important clarification from UnitedHealthcare's updated FAQ: "UHealth is out of network currently for all other UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, excluding Preferred Care Network." If you have a different UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan — not Preferred Care Network — this agreement does not restore your UHealth access. Confirm your specific plan name on your UCard or by calling the number on the back of your card.
Continuity of Care: Apply Now Through 30 Days After January 1, 2027
If you are in active treatment for a serious or complex condition with a UHealth provider, continuity of care lets you continue at in-network rates for a period of time after UHealth leaves the network. Per UnitedHealthcare, you can apply any time from now through 30 days after UHealth goes out of network on Jan. 1, 2027 — giving you a wide window to get this in place. Call the number on your UnitedHealthcare UCard to start.
If You Have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan
UnitedHealthcare's FAQ is direct on this point: "Medicare Supplement plans are not impacted by our negotiation for the Preferred Care Network. People with a Medicare Supplement plan can continue to access care at UHealth, regardless of the outcome of our negotiation." If you're on a Medigap plan with any carrier, none of this affects you — Original Medicare has no provider networks.
Other In-Network Health Systems for Preferred Care Network Members
If you'd rather not wait for AEP, UnitedHealthcare directs Preferred Care Network members to a large network of other South Florida providers. Health systems it names specifically include:
- Baptist Health Medical Group Physicians
- HCA Florida Mercy Hospital
- Memorial Healthcare System
- Mount Sinai Medical Center of Florida
This list isn't exhaustive — call the number on your UCard or use UnitedHealthcare's provider directory to find in-network doctors and hospitals near you.
What Should You Do Between Now and January 1, 2027?
- Nothing urgent right now. Your Preferred Care Network coverage at UHealth continues uninterrupted through Dec. 31, 2026.
- If you're in active treatment, consider applying for continuity of care — you have until 30 days after Jan. 1, 2027, but applying earlier gives you more certainty.
- Mark your calendar for AEP: Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2026. That's when you'll choose your 2027 Medicare plan.
- Start thinking about your options now, without pressure. Do you want to switch to a plan that includes UHealth? Consider a Medicare Supplement plan instead? Or are you comfortable using one of UnitedHealthcare's other in-network systems? You have months to decide.
- Talk to a licensed, independent agent before AEP gets busy. The earlier you start, the calmer this decision feels.
How A&E Insurance Agency Can Help
As an independent agency, we're not affiliated with UHealth or UnitedHealthcare — our job is to help you understand your real options. At no cost, we can:
- Confirm your specific plan and what this agreement means for you
- Compare 2027 Medicare Advantage plans that include UHealth against your current coverage
- Walk through whether a Medicare Supplement plan makes sense for your situation (see our Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement guide)
- Help you get ahead of AEP instead of rushing in December
Frequently Asked Questions
Did UHealth and UnitedHealthcare reach an agreement?
Yes, for commercial, Individual Family Plan (IFP), and Medicaid coverage — a new multi-year agreement preserves uninterrupted UHealth access for those members. For Medicare Advantage Preferred Care Network, UnitedHealthcare separately extended access through Dec. 31, 2026, but confirmed UHealth will go out of network for that plan on Jan. 1, 2027.
Is the September 1, 2026 date still accurate?
No. That date has been superseded. Preferred Care Network members now have in-network UHealth access through Dec. 31, 2026, with the plan going out of network Jan. 1, 2027 instead.
Do I need to do anything right now if I have Preferred Care Network?
No immediate action is required. Your coverage continues uninterrupted through Dec. 31, 2026. You'll want to make a decision about your 2027 coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2026.
Can I still apply for continuity of care?
Yes. Per UnitedHealthcare, members in active treatment for a serious or complex condition can apply for continuity of care any time from now through 30 days after Jan. 1, 2027.
Is UHealth back in-network for other UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans?
No. Per UnitedHealthcare's FAQ, UHealth remains out of network for all UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans except Preferred Care Network.
Does this affect my Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan?
No. UnitedHealthcare confirms Medicare Supplement plans are not impacted by this negotiation. Original Medicare has no provider networks, so Medigap members can continue seeing UHealth providers regardless of the outcome.
Where can I read more about my options?
See our earlier guides on what this dispute meant for members and your practical options, both updated to reflect this agreement.
Talk to a Local Medicare Expert — Free
Whether you're planning ahead for AEP or just want to understand what this agreement means for you, call A&E Insurance Agency at (954) 281-5622 or schedule your free consultation. We're local, independent, and here for exactly this kind of question.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 16 organizations which offer 73 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
A&E Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of UHealth, the University of Miami, UnitedHealthcare, or any health system named above. Plan availability, premiums, benefits, networks, and provider participation can change at any time; confirm details directly with your health plan and providers. This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace advice from a licensed insurance professional, healthcare provider, or attorney.
Steve Germain
Licensed Medicare Broker · Miami, FL
Steve has spent more than a decade helping South Florida families make sense of Medicare from his home base in Miami. He wrote Medicare Decoded for people turning 65, and he still meets personally with the families who need help.
NPN 19921707 · Licensed in 35 states · More about Steve →
Free Guidance · 25+ Carriers
Have Questions About Your Medicare Options?
Steve Germain is a licensed Medicare broker licensed in 35 states. Call or schedule a free consultation — no broker fees, ever.