People with AARP UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans in the Kansas City area have been out of network at North Kansas City Hospital since Oct. 1, and the way to change that is to switch plans by Dec. 7. The hospital, which goes by NKC Health, says it will accept Original Medicare, Humana Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans in 2027. What an AARP plan member owes there today depends on the type of plan.
Which AARP UnitedHealthcare members are affected
The group that has to decide is anyone in an AARP- or Optum-branded UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan who uses North Kansas City Hospital or an NKC Health clinic. They can stay in the plan and accept higher costs or a full bill, or they can pick a plan the hospital takes for 2027. Dec. 7 is the last day to make that change for coverage that starts Jan. 1.
Stay ahead of Medicare plan news: We explain each Medicare plan update in plain English, with the one step to take. Join the Retirement Money Brief, one email every weekday from Ellen at RetireShield, and we’ll send you our 2027 Medicare Plan-Change Checklist as a welcome gift…