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Brian J. Tollefson, MD

Brian J. Tollefson, MD

Specialties: Sports Medicine, Adult Emergency Medicine

Gender: Male

Biography: I earned my medical degree at the University of Minnesota Medical School. After completing an internship in internal medicine, I served as a flight surgeon for four years in the US Air force on active duty, during which I was deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkey and Cuba in support of combat operations. I served on a special ops helicopter rescue unit in Keflavik, Iceland my final year on active duty.
I am residency trained in Emergency medicine and fellowship trained in Primary care sports medicine and work clinically in both areas. I am actively involved in clinical research in the area of emergency and musculoskeletal ultrasound.
Since leaving active duty military service, I have continued to serve in the Mississippi Air National Guard. Presently, I am the Medical Group Commander and State Air Surgeon.
In my spare time I enjoy aviation, home renovation and various sporting events. I hold a private pilot license and am in the process of building an experimental airplane.
I'm actively involved in my field of study and am keeping abreast of current research. I value hard work and the advancement of knowledge. I encourage, motivate, and instill these values into my residents and coworkers always striving for excellence.

Practice Locations

1 UMMC Colony Park South
326 Commerce Center Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157
View Location

Accepted Insurance Plans

The University of Mississippi Medical Center accepts all plans, but may not be an in-network provider with your plan. We encourage you to contact your insurer and ask if the plan is in network with UMMC. Always contact your insurance carrier for specific coverage information.

Network Participation - 2026

MississippiCAN and CHIP [Managed Care programs promulgated by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid]

  • Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
  • Magnolia Health (Centene)
  • TrueCare

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace [Individual plans offered on healthcare.gov]

  • Ambetter from Magnolia Health (Centene)
  • Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
  • UHC Marketplace (Madison only)

Medicare Advantage

  • Devoted Health Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP
  • HealthSpring Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
  • Humana: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
  • United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
  • WellCare (Centene) Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP

Commercial - Group and Individual

  • Aetna Plans: PPO, HMO [Includes all facilities except UMMC Madison]
  • BCBSMS Plans: BlueCardPPO, State Health Plan (AHS), Federal Employee Plan (FEP)
  • Cigna Plans: PPO, HMO
  • United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO (Includes plans administered by UMR, UnitedHealth Group's wholly owned third-party administrator (TPA) subsidiary)

Transplant Only Networks

  • Optum Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, VAD
  • Emerging Therapy Solutions (ETS) Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T, VAD
  • Interlink Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T
  • Celtic Plans: Ambetter, WellCare, Magnolia Health MississippiCAN, Magnolia Health CHIP • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT
  • Cigna Lifesource Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T, VAD

Dental

  • Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
  • Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial

Vision

  • Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
  • Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial

Rental Networks (Utilized by self-funded employer group plans and third-party administrators (TPAs))

  • Mississippi Physicians Care Network (MPCN) [If MPCN is present on a Member/Subscriber ID, all UMMC facilities and providers are in-network regardless of TPA.]
  • First Choice Health Plan
  • Claritev (formerly Multiplan)
  • Zelis

Government Programs

  • Humana Military Plan: Tricare
  • United Healthcare Plan: Veterans Affairs Community Care Networks

Plans and Payors UMMC is not in-network with as of April 1, 2026

  • Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
  • Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
  • American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
  • Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
  • Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage

Education

Board Certification: Emergency Medicine; Emergency Medicine, Sports Medicine
Fellowship:University of Mississippi Medical Center
Internship:Wilford Hall Medical Center
Medical Education:Univ Of Mn At Minneapolis School Of Medicine
Residency:University of Mississippi Medical Center

Experience

Current Positions

Director, UMMC MCES Public Safety07/2021 - Present
Professor, School of Medicine, UMMC07/2018 - Present
Vice Chair, School of Medicine, UMMC05/2017 - Present
Director, Mississippi Air National Guard2016 - Present
Director, School of Medicine, UMMC07/2015 - Present
Director, Department of Ultrasound, ESP Ultrasound, Inc.07/2013 - Present
Director, School of Medicine, UMMC07/2011 - Present
Flight Surgeon, Department of Air Force, Mississippi Air National Guard07/2005 - Present

Specialty Certification Licensure

Certification, Registered in Musculoskeletal Sonography, American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers10/2012 - Present
Certification, Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer--Abdomen, American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography12/2011 - Present
Certification, Certification of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine, American Board of Emergency Medicine07/2011 - 12/2031
Licensure, Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure, Board of Medical Licensure07/2005 - Present
DEA, DEA Licensure, Drug Enforcement Agency07/2005 - Present
Certification, American Board of Emergency Medicine, American Board of Emergency Medicine03/2009 - 12/2029
NPI, National Provider Identification, NPPES07/2006 - Present

Honors, Awards, and Recognition

Robert C. Jorden Excellence in Teaching Award, UMMC EM Residents2013
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, US Air Force2013
Resident High Board Score Award, UMMC Emergency Medicine2007
Resident High Board Score Award, UMMC Emergency Medicine2007
Resident Research Award, UMMC Emergency Medicine2007
Sikorsky Helicopter Rescue Award, US Air Force2005
Air Force Air Medal, US Air Force2003
Aerial Achievement Medal, US Air Force2002
National Defense Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, US Air Force2002
Received several other military Awards & Decorations, US Army and US Air Force1985