AG Neronha announced updates to the Office’s website for consumers of UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage health insurance plan. Recently, Brown University Health and UnitedHealthcare have publicly announced that, absent a breakthrough in contract negotiations, Brown University Health physicians will no longer accept UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans as of July 1, 2026.  

“Rhode Islanders have every right to be frustrated at a health care system that doesn’t work for them. Once again, patients are caught in the middle of a contract dispute they had no role in creating. When negotiations like this break down, the cost, literally and figuratively, is borne by older adults and people with complex medical needs who suddenly must worry about whether they can keep seeing their doctors or afford their care. We are monitoring this closely to ensure patients have access to the resources they need to maintain access to care. Given this disruption, UnitedHealthcare and Brown University Health need to know that my Office expects them to be responsive to patient requests and to ensure all the continuity of care resources to which patients are entitled are easily accessible. In the meantime, my Office will continue strenuously advocating for a system that prioritizes patients rather than using them as bargaining chips.” -AG Neronha