UHealth and UnitedHealthcare announced a new multi-year agreement in August, which is good news for many patients across South Florida. It’s worth understanding exactly what the agreement covers, since one specific Medicare Advantage plan wasn’t included.
What’s Actually Changing
UHealth (University of Miami Health System) and UnitedHealthcare’s new agreement covers UnitedHealthcare’s employer-sponsored commercial plans, ACA marketplace plans, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Florida Medicaid members.
Not included in that agreement: UnitedHealthcare’s Preferred Care Network (PCN), a Medicare Advantage HMO plan serving Miami-Dade and Broward counties. PCN’s contract with UHealth was extended through December 31, 2026, with UHealth becoming out-of-network for PCN members starting January 1, 2027.
This is most relevant for patients at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, the region’s NCI-designated academic cancer center, particularly those in ongoing treatment there.
Why This Is Happening
Network agreements are often negotiated by plan type, so it’s not unusual for a broader deal to resolve some products while a separate one, like a regional Medicare Advantage HMO, remains under separate negotiation.
Why This Matters for You
If you’re a Preferred Care Network member with care at UHealth or Sylvester, this is worth understanding clearly, especially if you’re in an active course of treatment. Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) gives you a normal opportunity to review your plan.
What You Can Do
- Confirm whether you’re on PCN specifically. UnitedHealthcare offers several Medicare Advantage products in South Florida – PCN is one specific HMO. Your member ID card or a call to UnitedHealthcare can confirm this.
- If you’re receiving care at Sylvester, ask about continuity-of-care provisions. UHealth has referenced continuity-of-care protections that may apply starting January 1 – it’s worth getting specifics directly from UnitedHealthcare and UHealth about what applies to your situation.
- Use AEP to review your options. If UHealth or Sylvester access matters to your care, this is a good time to look at other Medicare Advantage plans or Original Medicare with a Medigap policy.
- Loop in your care team. Your oncologist or care coordinator can help you understand what your options would look like in practice.
Let’s Talk Through Your Options
If you’re a Preferred Care Network member with care at UHealth or Sylvester, we’re glad to help you understand your options at no cost and no pressure. Reach out anytime for a free South Florida Medicare consultation.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
