Cleveland Clinic Florida has reached an agreement with Florida Blue to remain in-network with the provider.
This means patients with Florida Blue and its various plans can continue to receive care at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston without incurring out-of-network costs. The eleventh-hour agreement reached on Friday comes on the last business day before the existing agreement was set to expire on March 1. This new multi-year contract applies to Florida Blue employer-sponsored plans, Medicare Advantage plans and Health Insurance Marketplace (ACA, or Obamacare) plans. It affects 15,000 policyholders who have been patients at the Cleveland Clinic Florida.
The hospital leaders had been working fervently to sign a new contract with Florida Blue to avoid interruption in coverage for its patients. In November, Cleveland Clinic had informed patients of the possibility of losing in-network status at the Weston hospital on March 1. On its website, the hospital had announced: “We remain committed to delivering the highest-quality care at an affordable cost — and we hope that Florida Blue joins us in that commitment.”
If an agreement had not been reached, it would have left Broward County residents with Florida Blue plans with even fewer choices. Florida Blue already is out of network for Broward County’s two large public health systems: Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System, which together operate 11 hospitals and represent hundreds of providers and specialists.
Cleveland Clinic’s Florida region includes its Weston hospital as well as its Indian River hospital in Vero Beach, Tradition hospital in St. Lucie County, and two hospitals in Stuart in Martin County.
On Friday, the Cleveland Clinic posted this notice to patients: “We are pleased to inform you that Cleveland Clinic and Florida Blue have reached a new agreement. This means patients with Florida Blue can continue to receive care at the Cleveland Clinic as an in-network facility.”
Florida Blue offered this written statement: “We appreciate Cleveland Clinic Florida’s collaborative approach which enabled us to reach a fair and sustainable agreement and look forward to continuing to partner with them to support the well-being of the community we collectively serve.”
“This agreement protects patients, helps control health care costs for individuals and businesses, and recognizes the value of the care Cleveland Clinic provides across South Florida,” the insurer said. “In today’s environment, the rising costs of living and health care are a significant burden, and our members need our support more than ever. As a mission-driven health care company, we are dedicated to advocating for our customers and working towards solutions that address their needs and concerns.
Neither would disclose any further details about the contract length or terms. Disputes between insurers and health systems are becoming increasingly common, leaving patients and physicians frustrated.
South Florida Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com.