JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A deal has been reached between Florida Blue and Baptist Health after a months-long tug of war that had their patients across the First Coast anxious for a resolution.
The deal was reached Monday night, just hours before the contract would have expired.
At issue in the negotiations was how much Florida Blue will reimburse Baptist Health for health care services. Baptist Health says it's been underpaid for years compared to similar health care systems in Tampa and Orlando and wants to close that gap over the course of a new five-year agreement.
Baptist Health hospitals in Duval and Nassau counties, along with Baptist Health's physician network have been in Florida Blue's network for years, but they would have been dropped if a deal was not made by Monday night.
The new contract will be finalized Monday night, a spokesperson from Florida Blue's North Florida region told First Coast News.
The Florida Times-Union contributed to this article. Read more here.