To the Editor:
If you are one of the thousands of Rhode Islanders with a Medicare Advantage plan through UnitedHealthcare, beware: As of July 1, 2025, the following Brown University Health hospitals are out of network for non-emergency care: Rhode Island Hospital, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Miriam Hospital, and Newport Hospital.
Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa
For the latest updates on this situation, go to Attorney General Neronha’s website.
While emergency care at these hospitals is still covered, non-emergency services will now be billed at out-of-network rates, resulting in much higher costs for patients.
If you are in the middle of treatment—such as cancer care, surgery follow-up, or rehabilitation—you may temporarily qualify to keep receiving care at in-network cost levels but you must: call the number on the back of your UnitedHealthcare card and request “continuity of care” before July 30, 2025.
Rep. Jennifer A. Stewart
Medicare Advantage plans can shrink provider networks, impose prior authorizations, and cost patients and taxpayers about 22% more than traditional Medicare—roughly an $83 billion annual overcharge.
We introduced Senate Resolution S0056 and House Resolution H5357, urging federal action to address abuses because unfortunately, states have virtually no control over Medicare Advantage plans.
It’s time to stop middlemen insurers who offer no actual health care from getting enormous profits from limiting our care. Please contact your state and federal legislators to express your concerns and support reform.
Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol)
Rep. Jennifer A. Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket)