VERO BEACH — Negotiations between Cleveland Clinic Florida and Florida Blue have hit a wall, leaving the future of in-network care at Vero Beach’s sole hospital uncertain for thousands of residents covered by the state’s largest health insurer.
According to Cleveland Clinic, both sides are currently in contract negotiations, and has warned that if a deal is not reached, its facilities—including Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach—could become out-of-network for Florida Blue members as early as March 1, 2026.
According to Florida Blue, the existing agreement ensures that members will continue to have in-network access to all Cleveland Clinic facilities and physicians through at least May 2026, giving both sides additional time to reach a new deal. Cleveland Clinic is seeking higher payments in response to rising costs and a competitive Florida market, where it relies significantly on private insurers like Florida Blue to balance its books…