JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The deadline for Florida Blue and Baptist Health to reach a new contract agreement is fast approaching.
The parties are still negotiating a contract, and if an agreement is not reached by Oct. 1, Baptist Health will be considered out-of-network for approximately 600,000 Florida Blue customers across the region.
Related | 600,000 Florida Blue customers could be affected if new insurance contract with Baptist Health cannot be reached
Baptist Health on Friday released an update on its ongoing battle with its insurance company.
Florida Blue has “made clear” it is not interested in negotiations, but “requested a 30-day extension” to its current contract, according to Baptist Health.
Baptist Health claims it has incurred too many costs due to labor shortages, record inflation and rising costs of medicines and supplies.
“While we see no wisdom in an extension given Florida Blue’s refusal to compromise, we remain ready to negotiate a fair agreement by the original deadline,” the hospital said in a statement.
Read the full statement from Baptist Health below.
Over the past eight months, Baptist Health has consistently negotiated in good faith with Florida Blue. With only a few days left until the current contract expires at midnight on September 30th, we were hoping for a reasonable response to our latest offer. Instead, the Florida Blues announced today that negotiations have ended, but in the next breath they requested a 30-day extension to their current contract. We see no wisdom in an extension given Florida Blue’s refusal to compromise, but we are always ready to negotiate a fair agreement by the original deadline. We are seeking agreements that ensure we continue to provide the critical services our communities depend on, now and in the future.
baptist health
Florida Blue disputed Baptist Health’s latest statement, saying the reason for the 30-day extension was to continue contract negotiations.
The health insurer said the latest proposal it received from Baptist Health would increase premium rates by up to 58% over the next five years, for an average annual increase of nearly 10%.
Florida Blue said patients would be financially affected if they agreed to Baptist’s proposal.
“We also offered to continue meeting with Baptist Health over the weekend to try to reach a resolution,” the insurer said in a statement Friday night.
The hospital rejected both offers, according to The Florida Blue.
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Florida Blue also provided the following update regarding contract negotiations.
The insurance company sought a separate agreement from Wolfson Children’s Hospital, but Baptist Health “resolutely stood by its ‘billion dollar request,'” stating that Florida Blue was “exceptionally generous and that it would be offered at Wolfson.” It said it rejected proposals that would “substantially increase reimbursement for care.” ”
Florida Blue said the hospital also made the request “at a time when 91% of Jacksonville residents are concerned about rising health care costs,” according to the latest Harris Poll.
Insurers would also be placed in the “impossible position” of choosing to accompany or deny care to patients who are no longer eligible for local elective care under Baptist Health’s proposed contract. We also identified specific negotiation tactics that would place Wolfson’s physicians and health care providers in a position where they would not be able to afford to receive any medical attention.” According to the Florida Blue.
If members have questions about these potential network changes, they can call the number on the back of their membership card or visit the Florida Blue Center in person for assistance.
Click here for more information about other major insurance carriers accepted by Baptist Health.
Patients can also find answers to their questions at baptistjax.com/florida-blue and floridablue.com/negotiation/baptisthealthjax.
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