MMC No Longer Accepting UHC TennCare as of January 1, 2026

November 25, 2025

What you need to know. . . 

UnitedHealthcare TennCare Coverage Ending December 31, 2025

Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter (MMC) is committed to providing high-quality care and helping your family navigate insurance changes as smoothly as possible. We want to make you aware of an important update to our TennCare participation with UnitedHealthCare Community Plan (UHC TennCare).

What is changing?

MMC will no longer be in network with UHC TennCare starting January 1, 2026. This means patients with UHCTenncare will need to switch to a different TennCare Managed Care Organization (MCO) if they wish to continue seeing their MMC physician in 2026.

Why is this happening?

Over the past several months, MMC has been in active discussions with UnitedHealthcare to renegotiate contract rates. These rates have fallen below current market levels, and despite our best efforts, negotiations have stalled. As a result, we made the difficult decision to end our commercial contract with UnitedHealthcare effective March 1, 2026.

Separately, our contract with UHC Tenncare requires termination on December 31, 2025. Unfortunately, although we offered to extend the contract to align with the Open Enrollment date for Middle Tennessee—May 2026, UHC Tenncare declined. We are sharing this information so families have time to choose a new plan and avoid disruptions in care.

What do I need to do now?

If you are currently enrolled in UHC TennCare, you will need to choose a different TennCare MCO to remain in network with your MMC physician.
In addition to UHC, TennCare offers the following MCO options:
  • BlueCare (BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee)
  • Wellpoint/Amerigroup

Changing your TennCare plan is easy.

You may change your MCO by:
  • Calling TennCare Connect: 855-259-0707
  • Visiting: TennCareConnect.tn.gov
  • Updating your plan through your online TennCare account.
When changing plans, you can select your current MMC physician as the Primary Care Provider (PCP)

When should I take Action?

We recommend making your MCO selection as soon as possible to prevent any lapse in overage or unexpected out-of-network charges beginning January 1, 2026. While open enrollment for TennCare plans does not occur until May of 2026, they do allow changes in the following circumstances: 
  • During a 90-day new enrollment window
  • If you qualify for a hardship
What counts as a hardship?

From TennCare:
  • Your doctor or specialist is no longer covered by the plan.
  • Your provider relationship is disrupted.
How to ask for a hardship consideration when contacting TennCare: 

“I am requesting a special enrollment exception because my current doctor, who manages my ongoing care, is not in network with my assigned TennCare plan. This creates a significant hardship for me, as there are very few in-network providers in Middle Tennessee who can offer the same level of consistent care. Changing plans outside of open enrollment is medically necessary for me to continue receiving the treatment I need. I respectfully ask for approval to change plans so I can continue care with my established physician.”

If TennCare denies the change, you have the right to appeal. 

In your appeal, explain why you need to switch (provider doesn’t accept your current plan). You can ask for help from a TennCare advocate or a community health navigator/legal aid, especially if you are having difficulty.

Key Tips
• Be Persistent: Bureaucracy can be slow. Call, follow up, and document all communications (who you spoke with and when)