Florida Blue and Baptist Health sign new contract on time

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Florida Blue and Baptist Health announced early Tuesday morning that they have reached a multi-year agreement that will bring Baptist Health patients into Florida Blue’s insurance network.

“We are pleased that our new agreement will reduce disruption and provide peace of mind for many individuals and families in the Jacksonville community,” the joint statement said. “We look forward to fulfilling our shared commitment to providing high-quality, affordable health care, as we have done together for more than half a century.”

Florida Blue and Baptist Health passed midnight Monday to agree on a new health insurance contract.

Florida Blue posted on its Facebook page that it also reached a multi-year agreement with Naples Comprehensive Health in Southwest Florida during another negotiation session, the deadline for a new contract being midnight Monday.

Baptist Health hospitals in Duval and Nassau counties, Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Baptist Health physicians have been in the Florida Blue network for years, but would leave without the new contract. Moving to out-of-network status would increase the amount many Florida Blue members would pay for medical services to continue receiving Baptist Health services under their current contract.

The new five-year agreement will ensure tens of thousands of Florida Blue customers using Baptist Health will be able to pay in-network rates.

Earlier on Monday, Florida Blue said its goal “remains reaching an agreement that keeps Baptist in-network without disrupting care for our members and that ensures that health care in Northeast Florida remains as affordable as possible.”

Baptist Health said it was “actively engaged” in negotiations with Florida Blue.

“We believe a fair settlement is possible that will ensure our patients continue to have access to the high-quality care they deserve,” Baptist said Monday afternoon.

Florida Blue said approximately 34,000 of its members have used Baptist Health services over the past six months, and approximately 600,000 members in Northeast Florida would not be able to receive Baptist Health services at medical rates without the new contracts.

At issue in the negotiations was the amount Florida Blue would reimburse Baptist Health for health care services. Baptist Health claims it has been underpaid for years compared to the amount Florida Blue reimburses similar health systems in Tampa and Orlando.

“Our future is at stake,” Baptist Health CEO Michael Mayo said Monday in a videotaped statement. “It’s not a game for us. It’s time for Florida Blue to stop making changes in Jacksonville and put our community first.”

Florida Blue said Baptist Health is seeking an excessive increase in reimbursements that would raise health care costs for Northeast Florida residents who are already worried about how to pay for it.

Darnell Smith, president of North Florida Market of Florida Blue, said over the weekend that the insurer has offered a contract “that will provide Baptist Health hundreds of millions of dollars over the next several years, even as the company continues to demand more.”

Florida Blue members who use Baptist Health, the largest health care system in the region, have been watching the ongoing negotiations with concern because of the uncertainty it introduces into their decision-making process about where and how to get health care.

Resolving controversial talks that began eight months ago means Baptist Health patients covered by Florida Blue will continue to pay the same rates under their health care plans using Baptist hospitals and doctors.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, who on Monday expressed hope that the two sides would reach an agreement, praised the agreement.

“Thousands of city workers and tens of thousands of families will continue to have affordable and accessible health care today thanks to the agreement reached by Florida Blue and Baptist Health,” she wrote Tuesday in a post on X. “We are thrilled that two of our largest employers have united for good community.”

Florida Blue and Baptist Health sign new contract on time

By meerna

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Florida Blue and Baptist Health sign new contract on time

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