August 26, 2026
According to Lee Health, its hospital and physician contracts with UnitedHealthcare will end on December 31, 2026. This means that on January 1, 2027, Lee Health hospitals and physicians will be out-of-network for affected UnitedHealthcare employer-based, individual, and Medicare Advantage plans.
Lee Health urged all patients on UnitedHealthcare to continue scheduling and receiving care through the end of the year, and not to cancel any appointments with Lee Health in 2027 without first understanding the options available. They have created a patient microsite which will be updated as negotiations progress.
Sources: Gulf Coast News, Lee Health