Those enrolled in UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plan now have access to the Huntsville Hospital System and facilities, which includes Athens-Limestone Hospital and Madison Hospital.

Health care officials said the change is part of a network expansion, which will grant enrollees access to hospitals, physicians and outpatient clinics associated with the Huntsville Hospital System.

“Huntsville Hospital is an important addition to our Medicare Advantage care provider network and offers our plan participants greater choice and access to quality, cost-effective care,” said Gregg Kunemund, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement in Alabama.

Huntsville Hospital Health System serves as an in-network care provider for those enrolled in UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored and individual health plans. In addition to Huntsville, Madison and Athens-Limestone hospitals, the system includes Decatur Morgan Hospital, Lawrence Medical Center, Helen Keller Hospital and Red Bay Hospital.

Officials said the system is committed to “improving access to quality care, enhancing clinical outcomes, lowering the cost of care and creating an exceptional patient experience for residents in North Alabama.”

In Alabama, UnitedHealthcare serves more than 310,000 people enrolled in individual, employer-sponsored, and Medicare health plans with a network of 104 hospitals and nearly 12,000 physicians and other care providers statewide. The Huntsville Hospital System is the third-largest publicly owned hospital system in the nation with more than 1,800 patient beds and 13,000 employees.

“Huntsville Hospital Health System and UnitedHealthcare will work together to meet the medical needs of our patients across North Alabama,” said Huntsville Hospital System Chief Financial Officer Kelli Powers.