Thousands of Orange County seniors are about to be affected by the UnitedHealthcare and St. Jude Medical Termination in 2026, which officially ends their Medicare Advantage contract after December 31, 2025. This means that starting in 2026, St. Jude Medical Center and Providence facilities will no longer be in-network for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage HMO members—a major shift for many Fullerton residents who rely on St. Jude doctors and hospitals for their care.
Skyline Benefit is an independent Medicare broker helping seniors across California navigate major plan changes like this. If you’re a current UnitedHealthcare member, here’s what the contract termination means for you—and what you can do to protect your coverage before it’s too late.
Why Is UnitedHealthcare Ending Its Contract with St. Jude?
Providence Health, which owns St. Jude Medical Center, and UnitedHealthcare could not reach an agreement to renew their Medicare Advantage HMO contract for 2026. As a result, the UnitedHealthcare and St. Jude Medical Termination 2026 takes effect on December 31, 2025, ending a long-standing relationship between the two organizations.
This decision affects all UHC Medicare Advantage HMO members in the St. Jude Heritage Medical Group and Providence Affiliated Physicians – St. Jude network. Beginning January 1, 2026, these providers will be out-of-network, potentially leading to higher out-of-pocket costs and limited access to your preferred doctors and facilities.
What This Means for Fullerton Medicare Advantage Members
Here’s what affected members should know:
- St. Jude Medical Center and Providence facilities will no longer be in UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage network after 12/31/25.
- UHC may automatically reassign members to non-Providence primary care doctors and facilities.
- Continuity-of-care rules allow approved ongoing treatments to continue temporarily at St. Jude.
- UHC Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and commercial plans are not affected—only Medicare Advantage HMO plans.
- Contact a licensed Skyline Benefit Medicare broker today for personalized help finding a 2026 plan that still includes your preferred doctors in Fullerton.
I Already Re-Enrolled for 2026—What Now?
Even if you’ve already re-enrolled, you’re not stuck. You can change your plan during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), October 15 – December 7, 2025.
If you miss that deadline, you’ll have another opportunity during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (OEP), January 1 – March 31, 2026.
To keep your St. Jude Medical Center providers, you’ll need to switch to a 2026 Medicare Advantage plan that still contracts with Providence.
How Skyline Benefit Can Help You Make the Right Move
When changes like the UnitedHealthcare and St. Jude Medical Termination 2026 happen, seniors often feel unsure about what to do next. That’s where we come in.
Skyline Benefit works with all major Medicare Advantage carriers in California, including SCAN, Anthem, Blue Shield, and Aetna, helping seniors maintain access to their doctors while comparing new plans to save on costs and improve benefits.
Our licensed agents can:
- Identify plans that still include St. Jude and Providence doctors.
- Compare 2026 premiums, copays, and MOOP limits across carriers.
- Handle the plan transition smoothly at no cost to you.
What Should You Do Next?
- Confirm if your doctor or group is part of Providence/St. Jude.
- Check if your 2026 plan will still include them in-network.
- Review and compare new plans before December 7 to avoid disruption.
- Contact Skyline Benefit for a free consultation and enrollment help.
Need Help Keeping Your St. Jude Doctors in 2026?
If the UnitedHealthcare and St. Jude Medical Termination 2026 affects your coverage, you still have time to act. Skyline Benefit can help you explore Medicare Advantage plans that include Providence and St. Jude providers, ensuring your care continues without interruption.
Call us at: (714) 888-5112