Hollywood, Fla.-based Memorial Healthcare System went out of network with Florida Blue Sept. 1 after the parties were unable to agree to a new contract.
The split affects all Florida Blue plans, Memorial Healthcare said on its website.
The system said that while Florida Blue continues to raise premiums for patients, its proposals “do not equitably reflect the cost of providing high-quality, complex care, which could impact Memorial’s ability to continue to invest in our community.”
“On average, Memorial reinvests more than $900 million each year back into our community through charitable work, medical education, and covering insurance shortfalls,” the system said. “Memorial is a public, not-for-profit, mission-driven, safety-net hospital, dedicated to providing compassionate high-quality care to every individual, regardless of their ability to pay. “
Florida Blue said on its website that it has been in discussion with Memorial’s leadership for months over a new contract. The payer said that Memorial is demanding “unreasonable rates that will drive up the cost of health care for many in Broward County.”
“Especially during these difficult economic times, we want to work with Memorial Healthcare System 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,” Florida Blue said.
