Lakeland Regional Health is committed to being here for you and your family and to protecting your access to the care you need.
Our current agreement with UnitedHealthcare for its Commercial health plans is scheduled to end on September 30, 2026. Lakeland Regional Health has been working in good faith to reach a new agreement with UnitedHealthcare, including proposing rates that remain below those paid by other commercial health plans in our market and not reflective of the ongoing inflationary pressures experienced by the health system. Unfortunately, UnitedHealthcare has not yet agreed to terms that would allow Lakeland Regional Health to remain in network for its Commercial members after September 30.
If a new agreement is not reached by October 1, the network change would affect Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, Lakeland Regional Health physicians, and Lakeland Regional Health ambulatory locations.
UnitedHealthcare has begun notifying its members that Lakeland Regional Health may be out of network beginning October 1, 2026. We know receiving a letter like this can be concerning, particularly when you rely on Lakeland Regional Health physicians and services for your care.
At this time, there is no change to your in-network access to Lakeland Regional Health. Patients with affected UnitedHealthcare Commercial plans remain in network through September 30, 2026.
Lakeland Regional Health will continue working toward a fair and sustainable agreement with UnitedHealthcare that protects our ability to provide high-quality care while preserving access for the patients and families we serve.
UnitedHealthcare determines its members’ benefits and network coverage. If you have questions about your specific plan, benefits, or how a potential network change could affect your coverage, please call the member services number on the back of your UnitedHealthcare insurance card.
Lakeland Regional Health will continue advocating for an agreement that protects access to the physicians, services, and care our community relies on, and we will keep our patients informed as updates become available.
Thank you for trusting Lakeland Regional Health with your care.
Yes. Lakeland Regional Health is continuing to schedule appointments for patients with UnitedHealthcare Commercial plans. We are actively working to reach an agreement with UnitedHealthcare before October 1, and we encourage you to continue scheduling the care you need.
Please keep your appointment. We are continuing to schedule and plan for patient care while we work toward an agreement with UnitedHealthcare. We are hopeful an agreement can be reached before October 1, and we will keep our patients informed of any changes that may affect their care.
No. Lakeland Regional Health remains in network for patients with UnitedHealthcare Commercial plans through September 30, 2026. We are actively working with UnitedHealthcare to reach an agreement that would preserve in-network access after that date.
Lakeland Regional Health has been working in good faith to reach a new agreement with UnitedHealthcare, including proposing rates that remain below those paid by other commercial plans and not reflective of the ongoing inflationary pressures experienced by the health system. Despite these efforts, UnitedHealthcare has not yet agreed to terms that would allow Lakeland Regional Health to remain in network for its Commercial members after September 30.
We will continue working toward a fair and sustainable agreement that protects access to high-quality care for our patients and community.
UnitedHealthcare has begun notifying members who may be affected if a new agreement is not reached. At this time, there is no change to your in-network access to Lakeland Regional Health. We remain in network for UnitedHealthcare Commercial members through September 30, 2026, and negotiations are continuing.
No. The current negotiations affect UnitedHealthcare Commercial health plans.
Lakeland Regional Health remains in network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, including WellMed, through December 31, 2026. There is currently no change for patients with UnitedHealthcare Medicaid plans.
If a new agreement is not reached, the network change would apply to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, Lakeland Regional Health physicians, and Lakeland Regional Health ambulatory locations for patients with affected UnitedHealthcare Commercial plans.
There is no impact to services performed at Lakeland Regional Health Surgery Center by non-Lakeland Regional Health physicians, as the Surgery Center will remain in network.
For questions about your specific benefits, coverage, or out-of-network costs, please call the member services number on the back of your UnitedHealthcare insurance card. UnitedHealthcare determines its members’ benefits and network coverage.
Our priority is protecting our patients’ access to the physicians and services they rely on. Lakeland Regional Health will continue negotiating in good faith with UnitedHealthcare and working toward a fair and sustainable agreement that allows our patients to continue receiving in-network care at LRH.
Lakeland Regional Health will keep our patients and community informed as negotiations continue. Updates will be posted on this webpage as they become available.
