VILLAGES, Fla. — Thousands of United Healthcare members living in The Villages might have to switch health insurance.
Earlier this year The Villages Health System filed for bankruptcy, and in September, Villages Health assets moved over to CenterWell Primary Care. But now members are being told there has yet to be an agreement between CenterWell and United Healthcare which is The Villages Health System’s primary insurance provider.
The Villages Health serves more than 55,000 people, and the majority of them use United Healthcare, so they would potentially have to change their health insurance provider. But it depends if there is an agreement reached before the end of the year.
In a letter addressed to members, The Villages said during this transition in providers patients would still receive the same care and there would be no lapse in coverage.
Now they are being told a different story. One policyholder told Spectrum News she received a letter from the Villages Health two weeks ago that said the company had not come to an agreement with United Healthcare and her coverage could possibly end by the end of the year.
“Not to be notified until basically the last minute that there isn’t a contract between CenterWell and United at this time is very alarming,” United Healthcare policyholder Phyllis McElveen said. “We have a backup plan in mind but for some people the may not be possible. We had already gone out and selected our United Healthcare plan for 2026. We had already done everything. And now to know we might have to make a change is just not a pleasant feeling.”
Humana, the parent company of CenterWell released the following statement concerning the health care issue:
“CenterWell Senior Primary Care has been engaged in discussions with United Healthcare to retain The Villages Health as a participating network provider for patients in The Villages with United Healthcare health plans. Discussions are ongoing, and we continue to work in good faith toward an agreement. UHC health plans will be accepted at The Villages Health through December 31, 2025. If no agreement is reached, TVH will be unable to accept UHC plans starting January 1, 2026.”
Representatives say updates to next year’s health plans will have to be made before Dec. 7, or during open enrollment, which will open January through March of next year.
Spectrum News reached out to United Healthcare for a statement, but have yet to hear back.
