Notice to Patients with Florida Blue Insurance

All patients with commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Exchange health insurance coverage from Florida Blue and all BCBS plans would be affected. In other words, while our negotiations are with Florida Blue, access for all BCBS plans, including PPO plans, would be affected by an out-of-network scenario. Please contact the number on your insurance card if you are not sure whether your plan would be impacted.

If you have Florida Blue or BCBS as your primary insurance, you would be affected by an out-of-network scenario even if you have other secondary insurance. However, if Florida Blue or BCBS is your secondary insurance, but a different insurer is primary, you would not be affected. For example, if you have original Medicare together with a Florida Blue Medicare Supplement plan you would not be impacted by this negotiation. (If you are unsure which insurer is primary and which is secondary, contact your insurer at the number on the back of your insurance card.)

Most Baptist Health facilities, services and providers would be considered out-of-network and would not be covered for elective services.

• For a listing of all of our providers, go to baptistjax.com/doctors/find-a-doctor
• For an overview of our locations, visit baptistjax.com/locations

The limited exceptions which would remain in-network after September 30, 2024 are listed in the next question and answer below.

The following facilities, providers and services are not included in the current contract negotiation and would therefore still be considered in-network for Florida Blue or Blue Cross Blue Shield plan members after September 30:

• Baptist Behavioral Health
  office-based or virtual visits and therapies ONLY
• Baptist Healthplace on Demand
  24-7 virtual primary care doctor visits by phone or computer
• Baptist Home Health Care by BAYADA
  specialized home-based health care
• Baptist Infusion Therapy
  home infusion services
• CareSpot Urgent Care
  immediate care, extended hours, no appointment necessary
• Horizon Surgery Center
  ambulatory surgery centers at Baptist Beaches and Baptist South
• Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute
  office-based visits, therapies and procedures at non-Baptist Health facilities ONLY
• Life Wellness Center
  durable medical equipment for cancer patients such as mastectomy bras and lymphedema sleeves
• Pavilion Respiratory Therapy
  CPAP machines and other supplies for respiratory care at home

Medicare Supplement plans would not be impacted by our contract negotiation. (If you have a Medicare Supplement plan, you may wish to verify that your insurer would continue to cover your expenses for care provided at Baptist Health.)

Patients will always have access to emergency care, regardless of network status. You should call 911 or go to the closest emergency room if you are experiencing any type of medical emergency. As is standard, your insurance company will determine your level of coverage and patient responsibility for any emergency care you receive.

We understand how important it is to ensure Continuity of Care, especially for a chronic, acute or medically complex condition requiring long-term treatment. If you or your loved one is actively under the care of a Baptist Health, Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center or Wolfson Children’s Hospital provider for a critical condition that will require care after September 30, it’s important to know:

• The decision regarding Continuity of Care coverage for you or your loved one is determined by your insurance company, not our health system or its providers.
• Only certain conditions qualify for Continuity of Care coverage for care or treatment from your current healthcare providers for a limited time after September 30 (for example, cancer, critical care for newborns; end-stage renal disease; neurosurgical conditions; and ongoing pregnancy).

We want to help you get the answers you need, so if you believe you or your loved one may be eligible for Continuity of Care protection, please contact Florida Blue or BCBS at the number on the back of your insurance card to verify your eligibility Continuity of Care coverage and what next steps are needed.

Your insurance company will be able to confirm your eligibility for Continuity of Care coverage and provide you with the forms you are required to submit to obtain approval. Typically, this process does not begin until 30 to 45 days before the contract expiration date.

You can find a full list of all our accepted, in-network health insurance plans by clicking here or by entering this address into your web browser: baptistjax.com/patient-info/insurance-plans-accepted