HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — A contract dispute between Florida Blue and Memorial Healthcare System could leave tens of thousands of patients paying more for care, as the two sides remain deadlocked ahead of a fast-approaching deadline.
If no agreement is reached by Monday, Memorial — which operates six hospitals in southern Broward County — will become out-of-network for as many as 31,000 Florida Blue members.
The change would also affect Memorial’s urgent care centers and affiliated physicians.
The breakdown in negotiations comes after months of talks between the longtime partners.
Florida Blue, one of the state’s largest health insurance providers, has accused Memorial of demanding an “excessive” rate increase that it says would drive up healthcare costs for its members.
Memorial, in turn, says Florida Blue is responsible for raising premiums while offering contract terms that fail to reflect the rising cost of delivering high-quality care.
“We understand how difficult and uncertain these negotiations with Florida Blue are for our patients and their families, and we are committed to ensuring they continue to receive the care they need,” a Memorial spokesperson said in a statement.
While a lapse in the agreement could result in higher out-of-pocket costs for many services, emergency room visits at Memorial will still be covered at in-network rates under federal law, regardless of contract status.
Florida Blue stated on its website that discussions with Memorial remain ongoing and productive, and the company expressed hope that a deal will be reached before the deadline.
Patients and families across South Florida are waiting to see if the two sides can come to terms in time to avoid disruptions in care.
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