Medicare AL, AR & SC: Synapse Health will soon manage DME orders

Beginning Aug. 1, 2026, for certain types of DME, Synapse Health will manage the durable medical equipment (DME) ordering and fulfillment process in Alabama, Arkansas and South Carolina for Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) and Chronic Special Needs Plans (C-SNP) in Arkansas.

Currently, Synapse Health manages the DME ordering and fulfillment process for individual HMO and PPO UnitedHealthcare® Medicare Advantage plans for these 3 states and C-SNP in Alabama and South Carolina.

This change does not apply to the following Medicare Advantage plans:

• Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNP)
• Institutional Equivalent Special Needs Plans (IE-SNPs)
• Group retiree plans

Reason for this upcoming change

We understand this is a change to our existing provider network, and to the current DME ordering and fulfillment processes. However, considering feedback from our providers and members, we recognized an opportunity to improve the experience for everyone — ordering physicians, DME suppliers and members. This expansion builds on Synapse's DME management for other Medicare Advantage products in these states.

What this means for you

DME prescribers

Beginning Aug. 1, 2026, Synapse-managed DME should be prescribed through the Synapse Health e-prescribing portal. In the next few months, a Synapse Health team member will contact you to answer questions. You can also schedule personalized individual training and view self-help resources on the Synapse Health website.

For our members who require continuous DME services after Aug. 1, 2026, Synapse Health will collaborate with existing DME providers to ensure continuity of care or facilitate the transition to a new DME provider. Synapse Health may contact you if a new order or documentation is required to support the patient’s ongoing DME needs or plan of care.

DME providers 

If they have not already done so, most DME providers will need to join the Synapse Health network to continue to provide standard DME for most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plan members. Synapse Health will contact you with details about joining their network, or you can email JoinOurNetwork@synapsehealth.com.

DME managed by Synapse

DME not managed by Synapse

Questions? We’re here to help. 

If you have questions, visit Synapse Health or call 888-336-9363.