Language
Contact Us

Our goal from the start has been avoiding disruption to your health care.

We want to keep you informed about our ongoing negotiation efforts with Broward Health, what it means for you, and how we are here to support you given Broward Health’s decision to leave our network.

Negotiating with hospital systems is a regular part of our business. For months we have been in discussions with the leadership team at Broward Health (North Broward Hospital District) to try and keep their hospitals, emergency rooms, physicians, and other facilities and clinicians in our network of participating providers.

Unfortunately, Broward Health has been unresponsive for weeks — and, as of July 1, 2025, they are an out-of-network provider.

  • We will continue urging Broward Health to return to the negotiation table to reach a reasonable solution that works for everyone.
  • We are supporting members who are impacted by this change, including those who currently get care through Broward Health.
  • We have many high-quality local hospitals and doctors in the area ready to take care of our members’ care needs.
  • Broward Health’s unreasonably high rate-demands would dramatically increase the cost of care for people in Broward County
  • With your health care costs directly affected by the rates we negotiate; it is our responsibility to protect members from unnecessary increases.
  • Especially during these difficult economic times, we want to work with Broward Health on a solution that works for everyone — without placing an undue burden on hard-working families, small businesses, and individuals already struggling to make ends meet

Working on your behalf

We’ve been negotiating in good faith from the start, and will continue working to negotiate reasonable rates with Broward Health.

Broward Health is mission-driven and a cornerstone of health care in South Florida. We value our longstanding partnership and appreciate the care they provide for some of our community’s most vulnerable.

We know how important your relationship with your care team is, and our focus is protecting that relationship. Unfortunately, Broward Health has not backed off their demands for unreasonable and excessive rate increases which jeopardize how much you’ll pay and how you access care.

Broward Health has asked for rates that are 10x greater than what they offered, and we accepted, in our last negotiation. They want a 60% increase in rates over the next three years, which would result in over $150 million in higher health care costs for our members who are already struggling during this time of economic strain.

Broward Health also wants the ability to increase costs — at any time and without explanation or justification — for services, critical medications, and treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Through experience with another health system in Broward County, we know this leads to ‘surprise medical bills’ including unpredictable and often exorbitant costs for patients.

We have always reached an agreement during our decades of prior negotiations with Broward Health, avoiding any disruption to our members. As we have done in the past, we’re willing to discuss reasonable rate increases — and urge their leadership to work with us to find a sustainable and sensible solution.

What’s at stake

It’s your money on the line. These are difficult economic times and rising health care costs would only add more stress for our members and the communities we serve.

When health care providers charge more, it raises costs for everyone with higher premiums, copays, and out-of-pocket costs. Our job is to advocate for our members and customers during these discussions with providers.

Negotiations between insurers and hospitals can be unsettling for members who feel uncertain, or whose access to care may be impacted.

You, and everyone in our community, need and deserve access to quality health care that is as affordable as possible. And that’s our goal, always.

About Broward Health

Broward Health is a cornerstone of health care in South Florida. As a primary and essential provider, it’s essential to accept reasonable, market appropriate rate increases and ensure patient care is not compromised or interrupted.

These negotiations will determine if Broward Health’s hospitals, emergency rooms, physicians and other clinicians, and its other service locations across South Florida remain in Florida Blue’s network of participating providers.

We are committed to securing an agreement with Broward Health that works for everyone, most of all the community, so you can continue receiving care at a reasonable cost.

Facts you should know

  • The cost of health care is a significant challenge for many families and individuals.
    • In fact, according to a recent Gallup poll, 11% (equivalent to nearly 29 million people) of people said they could not afford medication and care within the past three months, the highest level in the four years the survey has been conducted.
  • We are sensitive to the challenges facing hospitals and providers, though the current economic conditions and financial pressures are not unique to Broward Health.
  • This is not an issue with the doctors, nurses, or the medical team of health care professionals who take care of you and our community’s well-being.
  • Broward Health wants a significant increase in its prices, and that comes right out of your paycheck. That’s why we’re working on an agreement with reasonable prices.
  • We have offered their administration reasonable rates that reflect the community, which balance the needs and wishes of our members with the financial pressures faced by hospital systems and all of us in health care.
  • The community should not have to pay more than what’s reasonable through their monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Protecting YOU is our priority

We’re on your side. Florida Blue is advocating for individuals, families, businesses, and seniors — to protect our members and the community from the burden of unnecessary and substantial increases in health care costs and to keep you with the local doctors, hospitals, and care teams you want.

We will continue to work towards an agreement that provides uninterrupted care and is beneficial to the health and well-being of Floridians that Broward Health and Florida Blue both serve.

The primary responsibility of health insurance plans is ensuring members have access to high-quality, affordable health care. That mission has never been more important than now — when costs continue to rise, and the public is counting on us to act.

Florida Blue members protected by network negotiations

Continuation of Care

Since we’ve been unable to reach an agreement with Broward Health, its hospitals, emergency rooms, physicians, and other clinicians and its many service locations are no longer in our Florida Blue provider networks as of July 1, 2025.

Even if they’re no longer in-network, you may be eligible to continue your care with your current Broward Health provider or facility. There are state and federal protections, called Continuity of Care, which cover pregnant mothers and others undergoing active treatment care for serious and complex conditions, or in post-operative care following surgery, etc.

These provisions immediately take effect for a specified period. It ensures members can access their providers at the same in-network rates and member responsibilities as required by applicable law.

Frequently asked questions

About the negotiation

Broward Health hospitals, physicians and other clinicians and its other service locations have become out-of-network for all services as of July 1, 2025.

This means Broward Health could make you pay more for services.

All Broward Health hospitals, facilities, and hospital-based physicians have become out-of-network as of July 1, 2025.

Broward Health (North Broward Hospital District) and Florida Blue have entered numerous contract renewal negotiations during our longstanding relationship, and previously successfully reached agreement on new terms. We’ve worked hard to resolve this latest negotiation without any disruption to the care of our members, and will continue trying to reach an agreement even after July 1st — to get Broward Health back in our network

Our goal is to be as transparent as possible, though specific details, including financial discussions, are confidential. What is important to note is that every hospital system is asking for increases, some as high as 30%. We take those requests seriously. Our goal is to reach an agreement that appropriately compensates them and ensures our members have access to quality care at affordable prices.  

Broward Health, formally known as the North Broward Hospital District, is a large integrated health system in Broward County. As one of the largest public health systems in the United States, and as a public, tax-payer-funded, and not-for-profit health organization, they have a responsibility to be good stewards of their resources.

Broward Health operates hospitals, urgent care centers, outpatient/ambulatory centers, and other health centers and physician practices across the area.

Florida Blue has enjoyed a more than 30-year longstanding relationship with Broward Health, and we continue negotiating in good faith, as we’ve done from the start and as part of a normal contract renewal process.

When health care systems demand unreasonably large rate hikes, these costs are passed onto members in the form of higher prices for doctor visits and increased premiums. While we want to support the health care systems, it would be irresponsible for Florida Blue to agree to rates that unnecessarily drive-up costs for our customers and members.

We understand that hospitals across Florida and the country are facing tremendous financial pressures. Health plans are also feeling the squeeze, and so are those covered by insurers who depend on these systems for care.

The current economic environment is tough on everyone. That is why, during contract negotiations, Florida Blue acts as an advocate for the businesses and members we serve, working to keep health care costs from rising and placing further strain on the budgets of businesses and households alike.

If you have received care from a provider whose contract may be ending, you will receive a letter from Florida Blue and/or Broward Health, as required by state regulations.

What’s next?

In some cases, members with a chronic condition or in treatment may continue to receive care while paying in-network rates after their provider’s contract ends. This is called Continuity of Care.

Your letter will provide more information on who to contact to learn how you can continue your present course of treatment with your current provider. It will also provide information on how to find a new provider.

If you see a Primary Care Physician (PCP) at Broward Health, the letter you receive will match you to another high-quality local doctor who is in-network. Should you wish to select a different PCP, please contact our customer service teams and we’ll be happy to work with you to choose another doctor.

You may be able to establish continuity of care with your current provider at the current in-network benefit level for a period of time if you are receiving treatment for a covered service or for a complex or chronic medical condition. Such conditions include pregnancy or scheduled nonelective surgery.

There are specific state and federal protections and details on who qualifies for Continuity of Care and the length of time for covered care.

You can contact customer service at the number on the back of your member ID card for more information about this process. Call us anytime and we will help answer any questions you may have or provide clarification.

You can easily find and choose other in-network hospitals, physician, or clinical sites in your area by logging into your member account.

In an emergency, members should always seek care at the closest hospital. Care for an emergency medical condition will be covered as in-network (even if the member doesn’t otherwise have out-of-network benefits), though out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on their health plan benefits.

You are covered for emergency services, even at an out-of-network facility. If you are admitted to the hospital after an ER visit, and the hospital is no longer in the network, you are protected. The hospital stay for the emergency is covered at your in-network cost share. This is because the stay is billed as a single claim and subject to consumer protection from the No Surprises Act.  Under the No Surprises Act, you’re also protected from balance billing for emergencies. If you need to return to the out-of-network hospital for non-emergency care, that visit would not be subject to the No Surprises Act. In that case, your out-of-network benefits will apply as outlined in your contract.

If your doctor is leaving our network and you’re pregnant, we'll work with you to ensure you can continue receiving care from them. There are policies in place to protect pregnancy and postpartum care with your current providers and care team.

  • For expectant moms with an HMO plan, your care from your provider will be covered by your in-network benefits.
  • For those with a PPO plan, you can still use your in-network coverage for 90 days if Broward Health decides to leave the network, and then your care is covered by your out-of-network benefits.

About the provider network

We’re committed to ensuring our members have access to the care they need. Our network includes many providers that share our commitment to high-quality, cost-effective care. This includes high-quality hospitals, doctors, specialists, labs, and facilities in your neighborhood and throughout the area.

A provider network includes the doctors, specialists, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, and other medical professionals that are part of your health plan. We negotiate rates with these providers, so you get high-quality care at the lowest possible prices. Choosing in-network care saves you money.

An in-network provider currently has a contract with Florida Blue, and when you see them, you are typically only responsible for cost shares and deductibles. Because they’ve agreed to prices with your health plan, you pay less when you visit them. It’s like having a member discount card for your health care. We cover more of the costs for in-network providers.

An out-of-network provider does not have a contract with Florida Blue, and you may be responsible for most, if not all, of the bill, including cost shares and deductibles.

Learn more about the types of networks that health plans offer.

Our customer service team can also help you understand the difference between in-network versus out-of-network benefits and more.

About health care costs

There are several factors that affect what you may pay for a visit to a provider. If you see a provider that is not in your network, the amount we pay (the reimbursement rate) may be lower, meaning you will have a larger amount that you must pay out of your pocket.

If you have a plan with a deductible and have not met your annual deductible, you may pay the difference between the negotiated contract rate Florida Blue pays the provider and what is left of the bill.

In general, we are finding that health care systems bill health insurance plans more to make up for the lesser amount they receive for Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements. In other words, employer sponsored health plans subsidize other lower paying types of plans. 

Florida Blue is mission-driven to help people and communities achieve better health at a price they can afford. Unlike a for-profit organization — whose goal is making money for investors — we’re helping people and communities achieve better health.

We are required by law to spend at least 80-85 cents (the exact amount varies by plan/product) of every premium dollar directly on the care of members, and we exceed that by putting policyholders’ money where it matters: their health.

The main drivers of rising health care costs are the direct costs of medical care — a combination of prescription drugs and services provided by hospitals, doctors, and medical facilities.

Advocating for access and affordability in these negotiations is our responsibility.

We’re reinvesting our profits to enhance our capabilities and better support the well-being of our members and communities

To learn more

To help educate individual and group members about the contract negotiations process, we have developed informational tools that highlight how we regularly work with doctors, pharmacies, and other health care facilities and providers, advocating in the best interest of the communities we serve.

Negotiations between health insurers and health care providers can be unsettling for members whose access to care may be impacted — this can cause feelings of uncertainty.

Our goal is a resolution, and we will keep you updated on the progress of the negotiations with Broward Health.

We encourage you to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns about your coverage or whether a particular provider could be affected. Just call the number located on the back of your member ID card.

We're here to support you and want to make sure you have all the information you need.

FBC NEG NF