As the deadline approaches for a new contract between Naples Complementary Health and insurer Florida Blue, the health system and the insurer announced Sept. 30 that negotiations are continuing.
NCH spokeswoman Kara Down confirmed that negotiations were “still ongoing”.
“Florida Blue remains committed to an agreement to maintain NCH in our network,” said Florida Blue spokeswoman Estella Gray. We value our doctors, nurses and health care workers and want NCH to remain part of the Naples community network. ”
Without a contract by October 1st, NCH will no longer be able to join its network of approximately 40,000 Florida Blue members, who will still face high out-of-pocket costs for members who choose to use NCH's services, facilities, and physicians. The result is
All commercial insurance, Medicare Advantage and Exchange Florida Blue health insurance plans are affected, NCH officials said.
At issue is that NCH is asking Florida Blue to increase its payment rate by 9.5% in each year of the three-year contract, down from the original request of 13.5%. According to NCH officials, Florida Blue's last offer was 5% in mid-September.
