Major changes are coming to Medicare Advantage in North Carolina beginning January 1, 2026. UNC Health will no longer be in-network with several major Medicare Advantage plans starting on this date. This decision will affect thousands of North Carolina residents who rely on UNC Health for their medical care.

If you are currently enrolled in an affected Medicare Advantage plan, your coverage will remain the same until December 31, 2025. If you would like to continue seeing your UNC Health doctors and specialists in 2026, you will need to make changes to your Medicare insurance coverage during the Annual Election Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7, 2025.

What’s Changing?

For retirees covered under the North Carolina State Health Plan, nothing is changing. You will continue to have full access to all UNC Health facilities and providers.

However, if you are enrolled in one of the affected Medicare Advantage plans, you will experience significant changes to your costs, coverages, and benefits. Hospital stays, procedures, and prescriptions will cost significantly more once UNC Health becomes out-of-network. Some specialists and facilities may not accept your current plan at all.

If you don’t switch before the end of the enrollment period, your current plan will automatically renew but your coverage with UNC Health could become significantly more restricted. In some cases, your care may not be covered at all.

What Should I Do Next?

At Broad River Insurance, we understand that losing in-network access to UNC Health could have serious effects for those who rely on its doctors and specialists. While this decision is based on system-level factors, it is essential to start planning early to ensure you still have access to the right Medicare insurance coverage for your needs.

You will continue to have full network access to UNC Health through December 31, 2025. Now is the time to prepare by reviewing your current Medicare insurance plan and contacting us before the enrollment period to discuss your options.

The Medicare insurance landscape can be complex, especially when major changes directly affect your care. The good news is that working with our licensed insurance agents ensures you get helpful guidance, clear plan comparisons, and support through the process to find the right coverage for you.

With proper planning and guidance, you can keep your preferred UNC Health providers and ensure your Medicare insurance coverage works for you. Call Broad River Insurance today at (828) 884-3885 (TTY: 711) to schedule a no obligation Medicare insurance consultation, or visit broadriverins.com to learn more about your coverage options.