Special Election Period in CT, MA, ME and RI

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has granted a one-time Special Election Period (SEP) for certain UnitedHealthcare® Medicare Advantage (MA) plan members due to Brown University Health, operating in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island, leaving the plans’ network. The impacted plans are detailed below. Affected members will have the opportunity to remain in their plan and choose a new network provider, or enroll in a different MA plan, Part D plan and/or Original Medicare. If individuals choose to enroll in Original Medicare, they will have a Guaranteed Issue (GI) right to enroll in specific Medicare Supplement plans offered by any carrier including AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans from UnitedHealthcare® . Members eligible for the SEP were notified beginning August 8, 2025.  

Special Election Period

The SEP began in August and continues through the end of October. Individuals eligible for the SEP are:

• Enrolled in an impacted UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plan (H5253 and H8768), and;
• Assigned to, currently receiving care from, or have received care within the last 3 months from a Brown University Health provider or facility

Medicare Supplement Guaranteed Issue Eligibility

Individuals who choose to enroll in Original Medicare and an eligible Medicare Supplement plan during the SEP will have a GI right to enroll into the Medicare Supplement plan. The Medicare Supplement GI period starts 60 days before the individual’s MA coverage ends and ends 63 days after the individual’s MA coverage ends.  

Individuals enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan can continue their care with Brown University Health providers and facilities as long as they accept Medicare patients.  

Eligible Guaranteed Issue AARP Medicare Supplement Plans are:

• A, B, C and F for individuals who turned 65 or have a Medicare Part A effective date prior to January 1, 2020
• A, B and G for individuals who turn 65 and have a Medicare Part A effective date on or after January 1, 2020

While no proof of the SEP is required when submitting an application for an AARP Medicare Supplement Plan, it is helpful to include a copy of the applicant’s letter explaining they are eligible for the SEP. It is also helpful to indicate on the replacement notice the contract number of the Medicare Advantage plan being replaced or that the Medicare Advantage disenrollment is due to the Brown University Health network change and answer ‘yes’ to the Guaranteed Issue question in the “Is your acceptance guaranteed” section of the application.

Keeping Current Medicare Advantage Plan

UnitedHealthcare members eligible for the SEP who wish to remain enrolled in their current UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan are encouraged to call UnitedHealthcare at the number on their health plan ID card if they need assistance finding an in-network provider in their area that meets their health care needs.

‍