2026 Medicare Advantage plan updates

It’s time to learn more about UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage updates for 2026. Explore plan overviews and features plus support resources designed to help you stay informed and prepared.

Explore our resources

• 2026 Medicare Advantage, CSNP & DSNP Plan Overview Course: Check out our interactive guide for important things you need to know about our Medicare Advantage plans, including new referral requirements for 2026 as well as the new supplemental benefit verification process for Special Needs Plans

• Quick reference guides
  Learn more about doing business with us:
  • 2026 Medicare Advantage, CSNP & DSNP Quick Reference Guide. 
  • Find Quick Reference Guides for delegated entities

Key changes for our Medicare Advantage plans

• In 2026, most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage health maintenance organization (HMO) and point of service (POS) plans are referral plans. You can check plan referral requirements online.
  • Starting Jan. 1, 2026, most members enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage HMO/POS plans will be required to obtain a referral from their primary care provider (PCP) before accessing certain specialist services in outpatient, office or home settings. Referrals must be submitted by the PCP to UnitedHealthcare prior to the specialist visit. This also applies when members of HMO/POS plans are traveling and accessing the National Network. Learn more in our 2026 Medicare Advantage Referral Requirements Guide.
• Effective Jan. 1, 2026, new or existing members of UnitedHealthcare SNPs, including Chronic Special Needs Plans (C-SNP) and Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNP), need a qualifying chronic condition to access benefits that cover healthy food and/or utilities. Providers may be contacted by UnitedHealthcare to verify a member has at least one qualifying condition to receive benefits. See 2026 Medicare Advantage, CSNP & DSNP Plan Overview Course for more information.

Additional resources

Check out these resources for Medicare, plan-specific information by state, protocols, training and more:

• Medicare policies and guidelines
• Medicare Made Clear: Introduction to Medicare
• UnitedHealthcare plans by state
• Care provider administrative guides and manuals
• Health care professional education and training