UCR 282: Playing the Surgical Lottery – Medicare Advantage and Out-of-Network Strategy

March 27, 2026 

In this episode, Scott, Mark, and Dr. John Lin dive into the challenges of navigating Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans—what happens when you’re out of network, why reimbursement can feel like a “surgical lottery,” and how to decide whether to participate at all. Prompted by a real-world scenario involving UnitedHealthcare narrowing its network, the discussion explores out-of-network billing strategies, patient responsibility, contract pitfalls, and the risks of unpredictable payments. The team also breaks down the key differences between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage, highlighting how payer incentives, network restrictions, and administrative burden impact both practices and patients. The takeaway: know your numbers, know your leverage, and be intentional about the payers you choose to work with.