Key changes for our Medicare Advantage plan
- In 2026, most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage health maintenance organization (HMO) and point of service (POS) plans are referral plans. You can check plan referral requirements online.
- Starting Jan. 1, 2026, most members enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage HMO/POS plans will be required to obtain a referral from their primary care provider (PCP) before accessing certain specialist services in outpatient, office or home settings. Referrals must be submitted by the PCP to UnitedHealthcare prior to the specialist visit. This also applies when members of HMO/POS plans are traveling and accessing the National Network. Learn more in our 2026 Medicare Advantage Referral Requirements Guide.
- Effective Jan. 1, 2026, new or existing members of UnitedHealthcare SNPs, including Chronic Special Needs Plans (C-SNP) and Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNP), need a qualifying chronic condition to access benefits that cover healthy food and/or utilities. Providers may be contacted by UnitedHealthcare to verify a member has at least one qualifying condition to receive benefits. See 2026 Medicare Advantage, CSNP & DSNP Plan Overview Course for more information.