UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans Fact Sheet and FAQs
- 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, Hendrick Anesthesia Network providers and Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood 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/.