Which UnitedHealthcare plans are affected?
| Plan type | Lee Health status |
|---|---|
| Employer based plans | Out of network |
| Medicare Advantage, including dual special needs plans | Out of network |
| Individual plans | Out of network. UnitedHealthcare's marketplace network already leaves out Lee Health |
| Original Medicare with a Medigap plan | The dispute is about UnitedHealthcare's network plans. Check that your provider accepts Medicare and whether a Medigap SELECT plan has restrictions |
Lee Health says its hospitals and physicians remain in network with UnitedHealthcare commercial plans through December 31, 2026, but UnitedHealthcare's marketplace plans already exclude Lee Health. A local TV station reported that up to 50,000 patients could be affected. UnitedHealthcare says its priority is to renew and called the decision abrupt. The two sides disagree about the reasons, and we cannot say how it will end.
What can I do if I have a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan?
- Use Medicare's annual enrollment period, October 15 to December 7, 2026, to compare 2027 plans. Changes take effect January 1.
- Check that both Lee Health hospitals and your doctors are in network for any plan you choose. A plan can include a doctor but not the hospital that doctor uses.
- Compare Original Medicare with a Medigap plan if keeping Lee Health matters most. There is no network, but the monthly premiums are different and you may face health questions later if you change your mind.
- If you stay with a Medicare Advantage plan you can still switch January 1 to March 31, 2027.
- Lee Health asks patients not to cancel a 2027 appointment before they understand their options.
What should seasonal residents know?
About 29.2% of Lee County residents are 65 or older, and many spend only part of the year in Fort Myers. CMS rules say a Medicare Advantage plan can disenroll you if you are out of its service area more than six months in a row. Some plans offer an optional visitor or traveler program that lets you stay enrolled for more than six months and less than 12 months.
Ask your plan how long you can be away and how it covers care in your other state. Original Medicare can be used with providers across the country that accept Medicare. Check whether a Medigap SELECT plan has provider restrictions.
How does the Lee County marketplace compare?
| Measure | Lee County |
|---|---|
| People who picked a plan | 140,308 |
| Received a premium tax credit | 94.8% |
| Average monthly premium before credits | $864 |
| Average monthly premium after credits | $128 |
| Picked a bronze plan | 56.5% |
| Picked a gold plan | 1.1% |
Lee's average premium before credits, $864 a month, was above the Florida average of $806, and 56.5% of its enrollees chose bronze plans, compared with 37.0% statewide. Census estimates show Fort Myers at 101,581 residents, 23.2% age 65 or older and 22.8% of people under 65 without health insurance.
Health Insurance Solutions agents are licensed in 22 states and help by phone and online. Marketplace plans cost the same with or without an agent, so the comparison does not add to your premium.
Insurers and hospitals mentioned
Explore the organizations or brands discussed in this article. A mention does not mean every plan or location is covered.
- Insurer · FloridaUnitedHealthcare
- Medicare Advantage · FloridaUnitedHealthcare
- Small-group insurer · FloridaUnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
- Small-group insurer · FloridaUnitedHealthcare of Florida, Inc.
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Marketplace, Medicaid and Medicare rules for the whole state.We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
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