Helping Families Make Informed Choices During Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment season is here for many families — a time to review health insurance options for the coming year. At Phoenix Children’s, your child’s health is always our top priority, and we want to provide the information you need to make the best decisions for your family’s care.

Phoenix Children’s and UnitedHealthcare are currently in discussions regarding a new agreement. While our current contract remains active through May 31, 2026, we understand you need to make annual open enrollment decisions for the coming year, so we are providing this update to you at this time.

We want your family to continue to receive in-network care from Phoenix Children’s hospitals, specialty clinics and urgent care locations, to help minimize your out-of-pocket costs.

What You Can Do During Open Enrollment If You Have UnitedHealthcare

As you review your 2026 health plan options, we encourage you to:

  • Discuss with your HR team or employer to confirm Phoenix Children’s in-network status.
  • If you purchase your own insurance, contact your plan provider directly to verify Phoenix Children’s participation.
  • Share your feedback with your employer or benefits administrator about the importance of in-network access to Phoenix Children’s 50+ sites of service.

We’re Here to Help

Open enrollment decisions can be complex — and we’re here to help make it easier. Phoenix Children’s has established a dedicated response team to assist patient families with questions.

If you have questions about network status, you can:

  • Go to your Patient Portal
  • Navigate to the "Messages" section
  • Look for "Insurance Network Status" and complete the information. Someone on our team will respond within one business day.

Or please call 602-933-5330 for assistance. Our team is ready to help and answer any questions you may have.

Our Commitment to Families

Phoenix Children’s remains an in-network provider for UnitedHealthcare under our current agreement through May 31, 2026. We continue to work toward a long-term agreement that protects patient in-network access to the exceptional, specialized pediatric care families rely on.

Thank you for trusting us with your child’s care. We are honored to serve your family and will continue to provide updates as discussions progress.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix Children’s still in-network with UnitedHealthcare?

Yes. Phoenix Children’s contract with UnitedHealthcare runs through May 31, 2026.

Why are you sharing this now?

We want to ensure families have ample time, especially during open enrollment season, to review their plan options and confirm Phoenix Children’s is in-network.

What should I do during open enrollment?

Review your plan and talk with your HR or benefits team about your questions or concerns and confirm Phoenix Children’s participation in your plan options.

Which locations are covered?

All Phoenix Children’s facilities and providers will be out of network with UnitedHealthcare if an agreement is not reached by May 31, 2026. Emergency care is not impacted. 

  • Phoenix Children’s Hospital - Thomas Campus
  • Phoenix Children’s Hospital - Arrowhead Campus
  • Phoenix Children’s Medical Group
  • Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics
  • Phoenix Children’s Urgent Care Centers

Will anything change before May 31, 2026?

No. All services remain in-network until that date. Patients with UnitedHealthcare Community Plan under Medicaid (known as AHCCCS, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System), are not impacted.

Who can I contact with questions?

Our Open Enrollment Response Team is here to help: 602-933-5330