UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Update

Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance (TOA) will no longer be in-network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans starting May 1, 2026. TOA will remain in-network through April 30, 2026.

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans reimburse below standard Medicare rates and require additional steps such as referrals before seeing a orthopedic specialist. These policies create delays in patient care and increase overall healthcare costs for the patient.

If you have a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan, TOA will be out-of-network beginning May 1, 2026.

No, this only impacts UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans.

We are not able to see patients with UnitedHealth Medicare Advantage out-of-network. Medicare plans are not the same as commercial plans. Each type of Medicare Advantage plan has its own complicated processes for out-of-network benefits that could result in high out-of-pocket costs for patients.

TOA is not able to accept self-payment from patients who have UHC Medicare Advantage plans.

• Traditional Medicare
  • Always accepted at all TOA locations.
• AARP Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
  • Accepted.
  • No referral is needed.
  • Works alongside your regular Medicare coverage.
• Amerivantage
• BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
  • BlueAdvantage (HMO / PPO)
  • BlueAdvantage Plus (including Garnet/Ruby/Diamond)
• Aetna
  • Aetna Medicare Premier, Value, Advantra, Freedom, Eagle
• Cigna Healthcare (now called Health Springs)
  • Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
  • Cigna Health Springs
  • Cigna True Choice (PPO)
  • Cigna Preferred Plus (HMO-POS)
• Humana
  • Humana Gold Plus (HMO)
  • HumanaChoice (PPO)
  • Humana Value Plus (PPO)
  • Humana Honor (PPO)
• Devoted Health
  • Devoted CORE TN (HMO)
  • Devoted PRIME TN (HMO)
• Wellcare (Centene)
  • Wellcare Medicare Value (HMO)
  • Wellcare Medicare Freedom (PPO)

No. Patients with traditional Medicare or Medicare Supplement plans are not affected.

For most accepted plans, no referral is required, though this may vary by plan.

If you currently have UHC Medicare Advantage and would like to know which doctors will continue to be in your network, please contact UHC by calling the number on the back of your card.

TOA remains committed to providing high-quality orthopedic care and advocating for patient access and affordability.