Nicole Kikkert
•8/27/2026
Lee Health patients covered by UnitedHealthcare are facing uncertainty as the health system announced its hospitals and physicians will be out-of-network for those customers starting in 2027, following years of unresolved negotiations. Bill McMahon, a retired New York Police Department first responder and Lee Health patient, shared his frustration over the potential loss of coverage. "We're back to square one again. No help, no medical help. And it's just this. I'm just distraught right now. I don't even know what to say," McMahon said. McMahon and his wife, Andrea, are Lee Health patients covered by UnitedHealthcare. He said he spent years pressuring his union to receive UnitedHealthcare coverage, but now, just one year after obtaining it, he fears losing access to care. "God forbid we get sick, and we have to go to the hospital. What are we supposed to do now? They'll take us out of network. And we could be responsible for $3,000 worth of care," McMahon said. McMahon, who responded to the World Trade Center on 9/11, expressed concerns about affording treatment for illnesses related to his service. "We paid for our, we paid our dues. We suffered. We had to do what we had to do, and now we need care. And they're not going to provide it to us," McMahon said. Dr. Nari Heshmati, chief clinical officer of Lee Health Physician Group and Inventory Services, explained that the decision to end the relationship with UnitedHealthcare was difficult but necessary after years of negotiations. "We have over $100 million in disputed claims right now with UnitedHealthcare. Those are claims for services that have been done. Those are patients that have come in with heart attacks whose lives have been saved. Those are cancer patients that have received chemotherapy," Heshmati said. He emphasized the importance of patients making informed decisions about their care. "I respect patients' choices for who they want to see, what plans they want to have. Not encouraging or discouraging anything. We just want patients to be educated, to have the information they need so they can make those decisions for themselves," Heshmati said. Lee Health said it will continue to provide care to patients for as long as possible and encouraged individuals to research their options ahead of open enrollment. UnitedHealthcare has not responded to requests for comment on the disputed claims. Patients concerned about their specific plans are advised to contact their insurance provider directly. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
