Tampa, Fla. (WFLA) – If you’re one of the thousands of people who have obtained a Medicare Advantage Plan through Florida and are using Baycare facilities or doctors, you need to be aware of current negotiations.
The companies are working to reach a new contract, but if they are not, patients may be looking for a new physician or facility starting October 1st.
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Baycare is the way to go to Erica Kearney, who visits doctors every three months.
“This was the best care I’ve had forever and losing it would be devastating,” Carney said.
She received a message from Baycare saying they have partnered with Florida Blue to reach a new fair network agreement that puts patients first, but Baycare said so far the company doesn’t want to reach a contract that guarantees it will maintain its services.
“I don’t want to go back to what one doctor calls a Ping Pong game where you look at you and throw you at another,” Carney said. “It’s very frustrating and very expensive.
Florida Blue provided the following statement to your side 8:
“Florida Blue is committed to ensuring members of our health plan have access to affordable quality health care, and we are working to reach a resolution with Baycare. Our goal is a smart, sustainable new multi-year agreement that allows us to continue our commitment to the community we collectively serve, and when many individuals, families, businesses and seniors struggle to achieve their goals.”
Here is a statement from Baycare to 8 on your side.
“Over the past few months, we have been working with Florida Blue in good faith, reaching a new fair network agreement that protects BayCare physicians, services and the ability of patients to continue to trust for their care.
Unfortunately, Florida Blue is proposing a reimbursement rate that won’t keep up with rising clinical care costs. This will undermine Baycare’s ability to attract and retain high-quality caregivers, invest in the services and technology they need, and continue to provide the quality worthy of Western Central Central, Florida. Patients pay more for Florida’s Blue Premium, but these increases are not shared proportionally with providers who care directly for patients.
Nothing has changed today. I want patients to know that Baycare is still working hard to help keep doctors and nurses up. Our goal is to complete a new contract before the current contract ends at the end of September 30, 2025. In doing so, patients retain access to Baycare’s extraordinary teams. Patients with information are encouraged to visit the information website keepbaycare.org.
Background: Baycare experience with Floridouble is not unique. Over the past year, Floridouble has created difficulties for patients by removing health systems from their networks and threatening to do so as a result of failed negotiations. ”
Jason Spell with Total Care Consultants said these transactions will affect what he recommends to policyholders.
“When it’s time to recommend a plan, you always remember something like this,” Spell said. “I have people moving here and they’re like Florida Blue, Florida Blue, but that’s really not the top of my food chain.”
Spell said having a local agent would be beneficial for anyone who could be tied down in October.
“We have a window to change plans from October 15th to December 7th,” Spell said.
Kearney says waiting is the worst case scenario, but she doesn’t have many options.
“When they want something from us, they want it right away, but when we need something, we’re forced to wait,” Carney said. “Unfortunately, we will be at their mercy at the end of the day.”
Policyholders are encouraged to maintain all planned appointments and procedures.
For more information about Floridouble, click here.
