September 23, 2024 | We are now a week away from the deadline on our current contract with Baptist Health Jacksonville and need the community’s support by urging Baptist health leaders to discuss a reasonable proposal. The people of this community cannot shoulder the burden of Baptist Health’s unreasonable cost increases.
Quote from Darnell Smith, North Florida Market President for Florida Blue:
“Baptist Health is standing firm on its latest proposal, which still represents more than $1 billion in new costs. Florida Blue has offered market competitive terms that provide Baptist Health with annual rate increases above the current rate of medical inflation. We will always advocate for affordable care that lets our members see the doctors they know and trust. Our goal remains reaching an agreement with Baptist Health before October 1 and we continue negotiating in good faith.”
Latest Updates:
- Florida Blue’s current contract with Baptist Health will expire in 8 days (Sept. 30, 2024). Baptist Health is standing firm on its latest demands, which still represent more than $1 billion in new costs. We have offered Baptist Health fair and reasonable rates that exceed medical inflation.
- There have been no meaningful differences in Baptist Health’s last three offers. The latest offer Florida Blue received adds up to a 58% increase in rates over the next five years, with annual increases that average nearly 10%. The money at stake belongs to the people of Jacksonville – including individuals, families, and businesses.
- Florida Blue offered a standalone agreement for Wolfson Children’s Hospital to ensure every child has access to the only pediatric hospital in this community. Baptist Health rejected this offer. Florida Blue will continue paying claims for medically necessary services performed at Wolfson.
- Florida Blue has strong, in-network relationships with all other major health care systems in the area including Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, UF Health, Ascension St Vincent’s, and HCA – and with additional leading providers, primary care doctors, and specialists, such as Brooks Rehabilitation, Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute (JOI), and others.
- Though we respect and have no dispute with the doctors, nurses, and medical personnel at Baptist Health, we are disappointed with the approach the leadership has taken to the negotiation, particularly their leveraging of Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
- For more information, members should visit https://www.floridablue.com/negotiation/baptisthealthjax
Members can also call the number on the back of their membership card, or visit a nearby Florida Blue Center for face-to-face support.
Baptist Health Rate Demands
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