JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Monday deadline is just around the corner for Florida Blue and Baptist Health to reach an agreement in rocky negotiations on a new contract that would keep Baptist Health hospitals and physicians in the insurer's network.
If there is no agreement by Monday, most Florida Blue members who want to keep using Baptist Health hospitals and doctors will lose their in-network rates starting Tuesday for medical services covered by the current contract.
Baptist Health said when it met for a session Friday with Florida Blue, it had "expected a reasonable response to our most recent offer."
"Instead, today Florida Blue had made it clear that they are finished negotiating but in the next breath requested a 30-day extension to our current contract," Baptist Health said in a statement. "We cannot see any wisdom in an extension given Florida Blue's refusal to compromise, yet we remain ready to negotiate any time and any day for a fair agreement by the original deadline."
Florida Blue said it proposed a 30-day extension of the current contract to continue the negotiations and offered to keep meeting over the weekend "which Baptist Health also has refused."
Florida Blue wants to strike a separate agreement on a contract to keep Wolfson Children's Hospital — the region's only pediatric hospital — in its network and then continue negotiations for other hospitals and medical facilities.
"We implore Baptist Health leaders to end the impasse over Wolfson today," said Darnell Smith, president of the North Florida Market for Florida Blue. "That would be major progress as we continue to work around the clock on a broader agreement that avoids disruptions to any of our members."
Baptist Health says Wolfson Children's Hospital is an "inseparable part of our everyday operations" so it must be included in a comprehensive contract renewal.
Florida Blue says about 34,000 of its members have gone to Baptist Health for services in the past six months and about 600,000 members across Northeast Florida would not be able to use Baptist Health at in-network rates for medical services if there isn't a new contract.
Florida Blue released a poll that the Jacksonville-based insurer says backs up its position that Northeast Florida residents already are struggling to afford health care and Baptist Health's proposal would add to that burden by driving up their health insurance costs.
Florida Blue says the survey it commissioned by The Harris Poll found nine out of 10 residents said they are concerned about rising health care costs. A large share of those respondents said the costs have resulted in them delaying or going without needed medical care and prescription drugs.
Smith said in a statement accompanying the poll's release that Baptist Health's proposal would force bigger insurance premiums and other insurance-related costs onto consumers.
"Jacksonville residents are already struggling to keep up with rising health care costs, making hard decisions about when and if to pursue care," Smith said. "It would be irresponsible for us to accept Baptist Hospital's proposal which would saddle families and large employers with annual rate increases three times the rate of inflation, totaling more than $1 billion in new costs over the next five years."
Baptist Health said its employees understand concerns about the cost of health care and have taken steps for Baptist Health's network of medical facilities, which is the largest in Northeast Florida, to offer care in affordable ways.
"Our priority is to ensure that every person receives the care they need in the right setting at the right cost," Baptist Health said in response to the poll.
Baptist Health says its proposal for a new contract would bring Florida Blue's level of reimbursements closer over a five-year period to what the insurer pays similar health care systems in the state.
Baptist Health said when consumers have seen big jumps in their health insurance premiums, that doesn't mean the reimbursement amounts have gone up at the same rate for Baptist Health.
"We continue to hear from the community about double-digit increases in health insurance premiums each year, yet we have only received low single-digit increases from Florida Blue and nothing for physicians," Baptist said. "The correction we seek helps us reinvest into the community to continue to increase access and care for all."
Baptist Health says if Florida Blue does not step up and close the gap between what it reimburses Baptist compared to other health systems, Baptist Health would continue to be underpaid.
"The gap is compounding every year," Baptist Health said. "We don't want to be in this conflict but we must make up ground so we can continue to be a viable health care option for our community."
The Harris Poll commissioned by Florida Blue conducted its online poll of 211 adults in Northeast Florida from Sept. 17 through Sept. 20.
Florida Blue says the poll found 74% of respondents who have children in their households reported they or someone in the household either delayed or went without health care they needed. The poll found 38% delayed or did not get prescription or over-the-counter medication and 62% of women are "likely to delay or go without" mental health care because of the cost.
Baptist Health said it offers extended-hour access to "affordable urgent and virtual care," invests in community health and wellness programs at no cost to participants and delivers "critically needed services" at a financial loss such as specialized pediatric and behavioral health care. Baptist said it gives financial assistance and charity care for patients who are struggling "because we believe that no one should have to forgo needed care due to financial concerns."
Florida Blue and Baptist Health have information on their websites about the negotiations with answers to frequently asked questions. Florida Blue has information at www.floridablue.com/negotiation/baptisthealthjax and Baptist Health has information at www.baptistjax.com/patient-info/billing-and-insurance-information/florida-blue.
This story was first published by The Florida Times-Union.
