Massachusetts’ largest hospital group is dropping Medicare Advantage plans for “in network” care, a decision affecting nearly 20,000 patients. Mass General Brigham will stop accepting UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plan as in-network coverage, a change that will affect about 15,600 patients, according to the hospital system.The decision comes ahead of Medicare’s annual enrollment period, and officials said impacted patients are being notified with time to review their options. MGB said it will continue to accept a broad range of other Medicare plans. “As a not-for-profit integrated health care system, Mass General Brigham is committed to providing high-quality patient care while serving our community,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “This commitment also means we are continuously evaluating Medicare Advantage plans and making necessary changes to ensure the plans we partner with are the best fit to support and prioritize value, health, well-being, and satisfaction.”The statement added that Mass General Brigham recognizes the disruption the change may cause and that care teams are available to help patients with continuity of care and transition options.In addition to the system-wide change, Harbor Medical Associates on the South Shore and North Shore Physicians Group will no longer accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts’ Medicare HMO Blue Replacement plan. That decision will impact about 3,200 patients, according to Mass General Brigham.Hospital officials said the changes are necessary to ensure plans align with patient needs and do not overburden providers. “These efforts are essential to maintaining the level of excellence and care patients have come to expect at Mass General Brigham without overburdening our patients and providers by working with plans that interfere with our patient goals,” the statement said.Further information about the changes is available on the hospital system’s website, officials said.

BOSTON —

Massachusetts’ largest hospital group is dropping Medicare Advantage plans for “in network” care, a decision affecting nearly 20,000 patients.

Mass General Brigham will stop accepting UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plan as in-network coverage, a change that will affect about 15,600 patients, according to the hospital system.

The decision comes ahead of Medicare’s annual enrollment period, and officials said impacted patients are being notified with time to review their options.

MGB said it will continue to accept a broad range of other Medicare plans.

“As a not-for-profit integrated health care system, Mass General Brigham is committed to providing high-quality patient care while serving our community,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “This commitment also means we are continuously evaluating Medicare Advantage plans and making necessary changes to ensure the plans we partner with are the best fit to support and prioritize value, health, well-being, and satisfaction.”

The statement added that Mass General Brigham recognizes the disruption the change may cause and that care teams are available to help patients with continuity of care and transition options.

In addition to the system-wide change, Harbor Medical Associates on the South Shore and North Shore Physicians Group will no longer accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts’ Medicare HMO Blue Replacement plan.

That decision will impact about 3,200 patients, according to Mass General Brigham.

Hospital officials said the changes are necessary to ensure plans align with patient needs and do not overburden providers.

“These efforts are essential to maintaining the level of excellence and care patients have come to expect at Mass General Brigham without overburdening our patients and providers by working with plans that interfere with our patient goals,” the statement said.

Further information about the changes is available on the hospital system’s website, officials said.