Quick Answer
Lee Health says its hospital and physician agreements with UnitedHealthcare end on December 31, 2026. If a new agreement isn't reached, Lee Health hospitals and physicians will be out-of-network for affected UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans starting January 1, 2027.
For the rest of 2026, Lee Health remains in-network.
UnitedHealthcare says it is trying to negotiate a new agreement, so this could still be resolved before January 1. As of October 12, I haven't seen a deal announced.
If you're on a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan instead of Medicare Advantage, UnitedHealthcare says you aren't affected.
I wouldn't change coverage based on this announcement alone. I'd use the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) to compare the 2027 options, now that 2027 plan details are out.
Does Anything Change With Your Coverage Right Now?
No. If you're currently enrolled in an affected UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan, Lee Health says its hospitals and physicians remain in-network through December 31, 2026.
Keep any appointments, tests, or procedures already scheduled for the rest of this year.
If you already have a Lee Health appointment scheduled for 2027, Lee Health asks that you not cancel it until you understand your options. If you'd like to move it to an earlier date, you can call Lee Health at 239-481-4111.
Lee Health also sent patient letters through MyChart and by mail. You can read the Medicare Advantage version in English or Spanish, and Lee Health's community information line is 239-320-1234.
Can I Still Use Lee Health If It Becomes Out-of-Network?
Possibly, depending on your specific plan.
Lee Health says that if your plan includes out-of-network benefits, you may still be able to receive care from Lee Health hospitals and physicians after January 1, 2027, though your costs could be higher and other coverage limitations may apply.
This matters most if you have a PPO rather than an HMO. I wouldn't assume "out-of-network" automatically means you can't see your Lee Health doctor, but I also wouldn't assume it'll be covered at the same cost.
If you're in a UnitedHealthcare Group Retiree PPO plan, UnitedHealthcare says you can still see Lee Health as an out-of-network provider at the same cost share as in-network, as long as Lee Health agrees to see you. I'd confirm that directly with Lee Health.
Before scheduling non-emergency care in 2027, I'd contact UnitedHealthcare and ask exactly what your plan will pay for out-of-network services at Lee Health.
If You Have UHC and Use Lee Health, Here's What I'd Do
If I were enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan and Lee Health was where I received most of my care, I wouldn't panic, and I wouldn't change anything today.
There's still time for UnitedHealthcare and Lee Health to reach an agreement, and for now, Lee Health remains in-network with affected UHC Medicare Advantage plans through December 31, 2026.
But I also wouldn't ignore this until December.
I've helped people compare Medicare coverage for more than 20 years, and one of the biggest mistakes I see is choosing a Medicare Advantage plan based primarily on the premium or extra benefits without first checking the doctors and hospitals they actually use.
In this situation, I'd start with Lee Health. If my primary doctor and several of my specialists were with Lee Health, keeping access to those doctors would be near the top of my list when comparing plans for 2027.
Here Are the Dates I'd Put on My Calendar
Oct 15–Dec 7, 2026This is Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period. It's your main opportunity to compare Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 or return to Original Medicare.
Dec 31, 2026This is the last day Lee Health is currently scheduled to remain in-network with affected UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans.
Jan 1, 2027Unless Lee Health and UnitedHealthcare reach a new agreement, Lee Health hospitals and physicians are scheduled to become out-of-network.
That timing matters. I wouldn't wait until December 31 to figure this out, because by then Annual Enrollment will already be over.
Annual Enrollment opens October 15, so this is the right week to start your list.
Start With Your Doctors, Not the Insurance Companies
This is something I tell people all the time when we're comparing Medicare Advantage plans.
Before you start looking at premiums, dental benefits, grocery cards, or any of the other extras, write down the doctors you don't want to lose.
If I were dealing with the Lee Health situation, my list would include:
- My primary care doctor
- My specialists
- The Lee Health hospital I normally use
- My prescriptions
- My preferred pharmacy
Then I'd compare the 2027 plans against that list.
And I wouldn't simply ask, "Does this plan work with Lee Health?" I'd verify my individual doctors too. A hospital system participating with a Medicare Advantage plan doesn't necessarily mean every doctor you see participates with that plan.
Would I Automatically Leave UnitedHealthcare?
No.
UnitedHealthcare says it has reached out to Lee Health's leadership multiple times and recently exchanged communications, so a deal before January 1 is still possible. I wouldn't switch insurance just because of the announcement.
But I also wouldn't sit and wait for a deal. Annual Enrollment closes December 7, and there's no guarantee we'll reach an agreement by then.
What I would do is have a backup plan. I'd use the next few weeks to compare my UnitedHealthcare plan's 2027 benefits with the other plans available in Lee County.
If UHC and Lee Health reach an agreement, great. You can then decide whether your UHC plan still makes sense based on its 2027 benefits and costs. If they don't, you've already done your homework.
What If I Want to Keep Lee Health?
If keeping Lee Health is important to you, here are the three options I'd compare.
| Option | What I'd Consider |
|---|
| Switch Medicare Advantage plans | Look for a 2027 plan that includes Lee Health and your individual doctors in-network. |
| Stay with UHC | If your plan has out-of-network benefits, you may still be able to use Lee Health, but I'd find out exactly what that will cost before deciding. |
| Original Medicare + Medigap | Worth comparing if broader provider access is important to you. UnitedHealthcare says Medicare Supplement plans aren't affected by this dispute, but don't assume you'll automatically qualify for a Medigap policy. |
Be Careful With the Medigap Option
This is an area where I'd be particularly careful.
People sometimes assume they can simply leave Medicare Advantage, go back to Original Medicare, and buy whichever Medicare Supplement plan they want. That's not always the case.
Depending on your circumstances, the Medigap insurance company may be allowed to ask health questions and medically underwrite your application.
There are situations where someone has guaranteed-issue rights, so I'd check that first. But if underwriting applies, I'd want the Medigap policy approved before giving up my Medicare Advantage coverage.
If keeping specific Lee Health doctors is the goal, I'd also confirm that those providers accept Medicare before making a change.
You can see typical Florida Medigap pricing in our Plan G and Plan N guides, or compare carriers on our best Medigap providers in Florida page.
If you're weighing Medigap against Medicare Advantage more broadly, I cover that in our Medigap Plan G vs. Medicare Advantage comparison, and you can browse our Medicare Advantage plans page too.
Why Is This Happening?
The two sides tell different stories.
Lee Health says it tried to avoid ending its agreements but that ongoing issues weren't resolved. In its letter to patients, it points to UnitedHealthcare's authorization and denial processes and alleges UnitedHealthcare owes it more than $100 million in disputed and underpaid claims, as reported by Becker's Hospital Review. You can also read Lee Health's note to patients yourself.
UnitedHealthcare says it got no advance notice, meets with Lee Health monthly, and was never told about concerns with these agreements. It says Lee Health's move may be connected to Lee Health having been out-of-network for UnitedHealthcare's individual family plans for several years, and it argues that Medicare Advantage and employer plan members are being used as leverage.
The important part for Medicare beneficiaries: UnitedHealthcare says it wants to keep negotiating and has asked Lee Health to join it at the table.
As of October 12, I haven't seen a new agreement announced, so I'd treat January 1 as the scheduled network change, not necessarily the final outcome. If the two sides reach a deal, I'll update this page.
What If You're in the Middle of Treatment?
This is one situation where I wouldn't wait for Annual Enrollment to start asking questions.
Lee Health says some patients in active treatment may qualify to keep seeing their Lee Health providers at in-network rates for a limited time through UnitedHealthcare's Continuity of Care process, or as otherwise required by law.
UnitedHealthcare says it isn't automatic: members must apply and be approved. You can apply anytime from now through 30 days after the provider leaves the network, and it lists pregnancy and active cancer treatment as examples.
If that describes you, I'd call the member services number on the back of your UHC card as soon as possible and specifically ask: "If Lee Health leaves the network January 1, do I qualify for Continuity of Care with my current Lee Health doctor?"
I'd also ask how long it lasts, which doctors and services are covered, and how to apply.
What About Emergency Care?
A network change doesn't change emergency care. Lee Health says patients can keep using its emergency departments regardless of network status, and UnitedHealthcare says emergency services are covered at the in-network benefit level whether or not the hospital participates in its network.
In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital.
My Advice Heading Into Annual Enrollment
If you've been happy with UnitedHealthcare, I don't see a reason to make a decision today.
But if Lee Health is an important part of your healthcare, I wouldn't lock in a 2027 Medicare plan without confirming your Lee Health doctors are in-network.
I've seen enough Medicare Advantage plan changes over the years to know that the plan with the lowest premium or longest list of extra benefits isn't necessarily the right plan for you if it doesn't include the doctors and hospitals you actually want to use.
For someone in Lee County who relies heavily on Lee Health, provider access would be one of the first things I'd look at when comparing 2027 plans.
And remember: the deadline I'd be watching isn't January 1. It's December 7, when Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period ends.
If you'd like help comparing your specific options before AEP, you can Start My Quote or talk directly with one of our agents.
Last updated October 12, 2026. This is a developing situation, and I'll update this page if Lee Health and UnitedHealthcare announce a new agreement or other changes affecting 2027 Medicare coverage.
