Watson Clinic quietly announced a change in its relationship with healthcare providers, a shift that potentially shakes up patient care in Polk County. Several patients at Watson Clinic received electronic notices in their MyChart accounts indicating the physician-owned medical group’s over 200 doctors will shift their practice to the new Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital, which opened July 8.
“As of September 1, 2026, essentially all Watson Clinic physicians will practice exclusively at Orlando Health/Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital. Should you want your Watson Clinic doctors to take care of you after that date, this is the hospital you should choose,” the notice stated.
Jenny Baker, a Watson Clinic spokeswoman, confirmed via email to The Ledger that “most Watson Clinic physicians will move their practices to our new hospital.” However, she said that “some” of the practice’s physicians will continue to provide services at Lakeland Regional Health’s Medical Center. Baker did not have specific details on how many, or what percentage of Watson Clinic’s physicians will exclusively provide services at the Orlando Health hospital moving forward.
If concerned, she encouraged patients should speak with their individual doctors about which hospitals they plan to be affiliated with.
It seems almost at odds with previous statements issued by Watson Clinic during the construction of the new hospital and public previews. In a FAQ issued to regional media on June 25 the question “Will Watson Clinic physicians still see patients at Lakeland Regional Health?” was answered, “The goal of Watson Clinic physicians is to provide care wherever their patients need care, and they will continue to have privileges at other are hospitals.
It did not specifically name Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.
Baker assured Watson Clinic will be sending out additional communication to patients closer to Sept. 1.
Impact on Watson Clinic partnership with Lakeland Regional Health
The question remains as to how this affects Watson Clinic’s longstanding partnership with Lakeland Regional Health.
“Watson Clinic affiliated with Orlando Health to help bring a much-needed hospital option to the community and expand healthcare access to residents of Polk County and beyond. This is the first new hospital to open in Lakeland in over a century,” Baker said in an emailed statement.
Lakeland Regional Health has previously attempted to parter with Orlando Health. The nonprofit community provider announced plans to affiliate itself with Orlando Health in February 2017, but the merger collapsed after approximately a year.
The Ledger has reached out to Lakeland Regional Health for comment, but did not receive an immediate response.
Healthcare coverage of services at Orlando Health
Whether or not current Watson Clinic patients will have medical services covered by their insurance Orlando Health hospital remains unclear.
“We have worked as collaboratively as the insurance companies would allow to ensure that patients are covered at both institutions,” Baker said. “However, the insurance companies ultimately decide which hospital and healthcare systems they will contract with.”
Baker said she recommended individuals contact their health care insurance company to verify they have in-network coverage at the hospital they choose.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Watson Clinic encourages patient shift to Orlando Health hospital
Reporting by Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
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By Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
