Attorney General Neronha offers guidance to those affected by UnitedHealthcare and Brown University Health’s health insurance contract negotiation

Attorney General Neronha offers guidance to those affected by UnitedHealthcare and Brown University Health's health insurance contract negotiation

Published on Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today 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.

Unless Brown University Health and UnitedHealthcare reach an agreement, Brown University Health physician offices will be designated "out of network" for individuals who are enrolled in certain UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans. This announcement follows a similar breakdown in contract negotiations over Brown University Health hospitals in 2025, which led to Brown University Health hospitals being designated out of network with certain UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans.

"Rhode Islanders have every right to be frustrated at a health care system that doesn't work for them," said Attorney General Neronha. "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."

The Office's website, complete with frequently asked questions, can be found at www.riag.ri.gov\\medicare-advantage.

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