BayCare is proud to be part of the communities we serve throughout West Central Florida. For several months, we have been working in good faith with United Healthcare to establish new, fair network agreements that will protect patients’ ability to continue choosing BayCare physicians, services and facilities for their care.
These negotiations include the following plans: United Healthcare, United Healthcare Medicare Advantage, United Healthcare Medicaid and United Behavioral Health (also known as Optum).
Unfortunately, United Healthcare has been unwilling to come to a fair and reasonable agreements with BayCare. If United Healthcare does not agree to a new contract with BayCare, United Healthcare plans listed above will no longer consider BayCare physicians, services and facilities part of their network, beginning June 1, 2026. This has the potential to be a real hardship for patients, forcing them to find new physicians and providers and potentially travel farther for in-network care.
We are asking United Healthcare to come to an agreement that puts patients’ needs first and allows us to continue to deliver on our mission to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care.
What can you do today?
- Nothing changes today. Keep all your scheduled appointments and procedures with BayCare, and don’t delay routine health screenings, procedures or tests important to your health.
- Call United Healthcare at the number on the back of your insurance card and let them know you want to keep access to BayCare physicians, services and facilities you know and trust.
- If you receive your insurance through your employer, talk to your Human Resources or Benefits Department and urge them to contact United Healthcare.
- BayCare will keep you informed throughout the process. If United Healthcare does not agree to a new, fair agreement, we’ll let you know.
- For any other questions, call BayCare at (813) 443-8070 or email us at BayCareCS@baycare.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is happening between BayCare and United Healthcare?
Over the last several months, we have been working with United Healthcare to reach a new, responsible contract agreement. Our goal in reaching a new agreement with United Healthcare is to protect patients’ ability to choose the high-quality care offered by BayCare physicians, services and facilities. If we are unable to reach a new agreement with United Healthcare, BayCare physicians, services and facilities will no longer be included in United Healthcare’s network after May 31, 2026.
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Why is BayCare working on a new agreement with United Healthcare?
Our agreement with United Healthcare is approaching the renewal date that requires us to negotiate a new contract. We are working in the best interest of the patients we serve to protect their access to essential services and their ability to choose the BayCare physicians, services and facilities they trust. BayCare’s number one priority is our patients. We are a not-for-profit organization, and our driving mission is to provide high-quality, compassionate care to all we serve.
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What happens if no agreement is reached?
If an agreement is not reached, United Healthcare will no longer consider BayCare physicians, services and facilities part of its network. This has the potential to be a real hardship for patients, forcing them to find new physicians and potentially travel farther to find in-network care.
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Which insurance plans would be affected by a network termination?
If United Healthcare removes BayCare from its network, the termination will affect patients with United Healthcare, United Healthcare Medicare Advantage, United Healthcare Medicaid and United Behavioral Health (also known as Optum).
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When would United Healthcare consider BayCare services and facilities out-of-network?
If United Healthcare is unwilling to work with BayCare on a new agreement, our contract plans will end on May 31, 2026. Should that happen, BayCare will be considered out-of-network on June 1, 2026.
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Will patients still be able to receive care from BayCare if a new agreement is not reached?
If a new agreement is not reached, patients will lose in-network access to BayCare. This means while patients on some plans could still receive services from BayCare, United Healthcare might make patients responsible for a significantly greater portion of the cost of their care. Emergency care is always covered as in-network. Patients undergoing active courses of treatment may qualify for Continuity of Care (CoC) benefits to continue that care on an in-network basis; contact United Healthcare at the number on the back of your insurance card to find out if you may qualify for CoC benefits.
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How can I protect my access to BayCare?
Remember that nothing changes before June 1, 2026.
- Keep all your scheduled appointments and procedures with BayCare, and don’t delay routine health screenings, procedures or tests important to your health.
- Call United Healthcare at the number on the back of your insurance card and urge them to work with BayCare on a new agreement.
- If you receive your insurance through your employer, talk to your Human Resources or Benefits Department and urge them to contact United Healthcare.
- For any other questions, call BayCare at (813) 443-8070 or email us at BayCareCS@baycare.org.