UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans Fact Sheet and FAQs
January 13, 2026
UnitedHealthcare and Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood
As part of our routine contract renewal process with insurance providers, Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood and UnitedHealthcare have been negotiating a Medicare Advantage contract agreement. We have extended the original contract end date to March 31, 2026, as the negotiations continue.
For Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood patients, nothing changes right now. Please keep all scheduled appointments and continue receiving care as usual.
All Hendrick Clinic providers in Abilene and in Brownwood are not affected by these negotiations, and remain contracted with UnitedHealthcare MA plans at this time.
UnitedHealthcare and Hendrick hospital locations in Abilene
- After careful evaluation and discussion with UnitedHealthcare, Hendrick hospital locations in Abilene — Hendrick Medical Center and Hendrick Medical Center South — will no longer be in-network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, effective August 1, 2025.
- Hendrick Clinic providers and Hendrick Anesthesia Network providers will remain in-network for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans.
- Although Hendrick Medical Center and Hendrick Medical Center South in Abilene will be out-of-network with UnitedHealthcare MA plans on August 1, 2025, patients with UnitedHealthcare MA coverage can continue to receive services at Hendrick Health hospitals and facilities in Abilene.
- We will continue to accept your insurance, and your costs are expected to remain the same as if Hendrick Health’s Abilene hospitals were in-network. In most cases, this means no additional out-of-pocket expenses. To confirm, plan members are encouraged to contact the UnitedHealthcare MA customer service number on their insurance card.
FAQs
Q: How will I be affected by Hendrick Health hospitals out-of-network status with UnitedHealthcare MA plans?
A: Based on our experience, we do not anticipate patients to owe more than traditional Medicare. To confirm, please contact the UnitedHealthcare MA customer service number on your insurance card.
Q: Will I have to travel somewhere else to access hospital services?
A:
No. We anticipate United Healthcare to approve services and pay Hendrick at traditional Medicare rates..Q: If my physician is in-network with UnitedHealthcare MA, do I need to receive prior authorization for procedures?
A: Yes. The physician’s duty to obtain prior authorization is still required for some procedures.
Q: Do Hendrick Health hospitals have to get prior authorization from UnitedHealthcare MA to perform services after they become out-of-network?
A: Yes. Hendrick will defer to following original Medicare protocols for UHC MA members, which require preauthorization for a limited set of services.
Q: I am a retired teacher and have this plan through TRS. How will this affect me?
A:
The UnitedHealthcare TRS-MA plan is an Open Access plan, allowing its enrollees to choose any Medicare-approved provider they wish. Hendrick Health hospitals are Medicare-approved providers, and remain available and accepting the TRS-MA plan. TRS provides guidance on your plan benefits at https://retiree.uhc.com/trs-carema.Q: I am a retired Texas state employee with a UnitedHealthcare MA plan (ERS). How will this affect me?
A:
The UnitedHealthcare ERS HealthSelect MA plan is an Open Access plan, allowing its enrollees to choose any Medicare-approved provider they wish. Hendrick Health hospitals are Medicare-approved providers, and remain available and accepting the ERS HealthSelect plan. Information can be found at https://ers.texas.gov/.