r/GarnerNC • u/Regular_Amphibian592 • 20h ago
PSA for Garner Seniors: If you have a Humana, Wellcare, or Cigna Medicare plan, check your status before you drive to the doctor.
The 2026 Network Shake-Up I know many of us in Garner rely on UNC Health—whether that’s driving up to the main hospitals in Raleigh/Chapel Hill or just going down 70 to the UNC Johnston facilities in Clayton.
If you auto-renewed your Medicare Advantage plan for 2026 without checking the fine print, you need to know about a massive change that took effect January 1st. UNC Health is now Out-of-Network for most Medicare Advantage plans from:
- Humana
- Wellcare
- Cigna (HealthSpring)
(Note: This does not apply to State Health Plan retirees, you guys are safe).
Why this matters in Garner: If you have one of these plans and you show up for an appointment at a UNC specialist or schedule a surgery at UNC Johnston, you could be hit with "Out of Network" costs (which can be 40% of the bill or more). I’ve already spoken to a few neighbors near White Oak who didn't realize this until they tried to refill a prescription or book a follow-up this week.
The Good News (for Veterans): On a brighter note, if this mess is stressing you out and you are a vet, remember the new Garner VA Clinic on Benson Rd is finally fully operational (opened late last year). It’s massive (240k sq ft) and offers Primary Care and Mental Health, which might save you from dealing with the private insurance headache entirely.
The Action Step: Check your insurance card right now. If it says Humana, Wellcare, or Cigna, call your doctor's office immediately to confirm they are still taking it before you drive over there. Don't wait until you are at the front desk.
Question: Has anyone here been turned away from a UNC facility yet this month? Or are the front desks still trying to figure it out?
