Baptist Health and Florida Blue
Baptist Health and Florida Blue Main Content
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Florida Blue and Baptist Health Negotiations
Current status of negotiations
We remain committed to good faith negotiations, as we have since this process began back in February. There is nothing more important than ensuring our patients can continue to see their trusted Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s doctors and use our hospitals — now and for generations to come.
After months of little progress, we recently had a flurry of negotiation activity with Florida Blue, including their proposal for a one-year increase. In response, we proposed single-digit increases over several years to gradually bring us up to market-based rates. The amount of increase we proposed is a fraction of what they have publicly claimed.
We continue to urge Florida Blue to work with us in updating contract terms and to agree on a long-term agreement with fair payment rates. The win-win outcome we strive for is a fair, long-term agreement that provides us with certainty, provides Florida Blue with network stability and ensures our patients have continued access to the quality care they rely on.
Why we need a long-term agreement
We exist to care for the community, with a history of providing critically needed services in good times and bad. This requires long-term planning, predictable income, and stability so that we can sustain our mission. For some services, we are the only place to get help. We will not be able to serve our community in the same capacity as we do today unless there is a correction in our contract. We need a new agreement that accounts for years of being paid at below-market rates while costs to all health systems increased dramatically. See the growing gap
Florida Blue has falsely accused us of demanding excessive rates, when in fact we have only asked them to pay market rates, consistent with what they pay other similar health systems.
As we enter the final weeks of our current contract with Florida Blue, we continue to work toward resolution. We value our relationship with Florida Blue and hope that they will share our vision and commitment to the health of our community. Our 14,000 caregivers devote their lives to serving this community, and we would not be doing this if it weren’t absolutely necessary to protect the long-term sustainability of our health system so that we can continue our mission of care.
Baptist Health and Florida Blue Additional Content Section 1
On behalf of more than 2,500 providers at Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s Hospital, allow me to share from a physician’s perspective why this negotiation is necessary.
"In the last few years, our health system has served as a ‘shock absorber’ for our community, providing the majority of care throughout the pandemic and weathering the challenging conditions that have followed. As workforce shortages, record inflation, and rising costs of drugs and supplies continued to drive up the cost of care, we worked hard to drive costs down by increasing access and affordability.
At a time when many others have cut back, we have continued to expand our network to offer patients the opportunity to get the care they need in more convenient, lower-cost settings, when possible."
- Timothy Groover, MD, MBA, CPE, FACHE
System Chief Medical Officer
Baptist Health and Florida Blue Additional Content Section 2
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Insurance We DO Accept
Consider Your Options
We remain in-network with other major insurance plans. View the full list of insurance accepted at Baptist Health. -
UPDATED: Continuity of Care
Protecting Your Ongoing Treatment
We understand how important continued care is for conditions requiring ongoing treatment. If you think you qualify, find more details about what we know and what you can do next. -
Unaffected by this Negotiation
Still Covered
Some facilities, providers or services will still be considered in-network after September 30.
Baptist Health and Florida Blue Additional Content Section 3
Will You be Affected? Plans, Services and Facilities
- If a new contract is not finalized by September 30, 2024, patients with BCBS / Florida Blue insurance will be affected. Please contact the number on your insurance card if you are not sure whether your plan would be impacted.
- Most Baptist Health and Wolfson Children's services and facilities would be considered "out of contract," which means non-emergency (elective) care will be available on a self-pay basis unless you've been approved for Continuity of Care coverage.
Our providers: baptistjax.com/doctors/find-a-doctor
Our locations: baptistjax.com/locations
Services or facilities unaffected by this negotiation are listed here.
Baptist Health and Florida Blue Additional Content Section 4
What You Can Do
- Call Florida Blue at the number on the back of your insurance card and tell them how important it is to you and your family to maintain in-network access to the Baptist Health facilities and doctors you know and trust.
- Talk with your employer. If you get insurance through your employer, tell them how important in-network access to Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s is to you and your family, and encourage them to call or email Florida Blue.
- Consider your options. If you work through a broker, speak with them or review your options in the exchange. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, contact an insurance counselor at Senior Resource Alliance.
- How will you know if we reach an agreement? We will communicate important updates to the mailing address, email and/or phone number listed in your patient portal, My Baptist Chart. Sign in or activate your account at my.baptistchart.com.
- Still have questions for us? Call 904.202.3247 Mon-Fri, 8 am – 5 pm to speak with a Baptist Health representative.
