IMPORTANT UPDATE: Flatirons Foot & Ankle Clinic Update With United Healthcare Contract Negotiations

Flatirons Foot & Ankle Clinic, P.C.
Ritchie “H” Steed, DPM
630 Coffman Street, Ste A   Longmont, CO  80501
Phone: 303-772-7008 Fax: 866-358-1067

March 4, 2026

Dear Patient,

The last time we saw you in our office, you had United Healthcare or an insurance that uses United Healthcare providers. We are writing to inform you that United Healthcare (UHC) is unilaterally cancelling our existing contract with them effective March 31st, 2026.  You may receive a letter from UHC stating that Flatirons Foot & Ankle Clinic will no longer be in network with UHC.  Our practice received notice of termination from UHC in January, and we have since been trying in earnest to complete a new contract before the termination date.  As of today, we’ve made no progress on a fair and reasonable agreement with UHC.

 I want you to know that UHC has chosen this path.  We informed them of our commitment to our patients and desire to continue in-network to avoid subjecting our patients to the painful process of changing health insurance plans just to keep their doctor. UHC says they say they share our priority of avoiding patient disruption; however, ultimatums and a lack of collaboration does not demonstrate a shared priority. All reasonable requests have been rejected; they won’t engage in negotiations and have told us that the only way to remain in-network is to sign their new contract as it currently stands.  UHC’s new contract is substantially different from the contract we’ve had in place with them for decades and signing it as is would cause harm to our practice.

 What does this mean for you?

1. Until March 31st, 2026, we will continue in-network with UHC

2. Starting April 1st, unless something changes, we will be out of network with UHC.  This means:

   a. If you have a United PPO plan you can continue to see us using out-of-network benefits.

   b. If you have a United HMO plan with no out of network benefits, you can continue to see us, but we cannot bill insurance on your behalf.  You can pay out of pocket.

   c. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with no out of network benefits, you can continue to see us, but we cannot bill insurance on your behalf.  You can pay out of pocket.

We would appreciate it if you would express your concerns to United Healthcare.  Call 866-764-7737 or the customer service number on the back of your card and state firmly how important it is to you and your health for Flatirons Foot & Ankle Clinic and Ritchie Steed, DPM to remain in-network with UHC.  Since you are their customer, your voice carries significant weight.  You can tell them that you value the care you receive at our clinic, and you have other options for Health Coverage. 

You can also express your concerns to your HR Benefits Manager, if you receive Health coverage through an employer.   Most HR Benefit Managers decide which health plan to offer the employees and, if they are aware of significant network disruption, they can contact UHC with legitimate concerns about patient access, continuity of care and getting a different Provider Network than what they paid for.

We hope you understand how important you are to us.  You entrust us with the most important fundamental asset in life, your health, and we do not want that to be interrupted.  You have our assurance, if UHC engages with us in good faith, we will do everything feasible to work with them to avoid this termination. 

We will keep you updated on the future of our network status with UHC over the next 4 weeks. You can also check our website at www.flatironsfoot.com for updated information.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ritchie Steed