Action News Jax’s Ben Becker has learned that a deal could be in jeopardy between Baptist Health and Florida Blue, because of what Baptist Health sources say is an “abuse of power” and “intimidation tactics” by Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s office.
Action News Jax first reported last week that Florida Blue insurance Executive Darnell Smith, who has been on loan to the city as Deegan’s chief of staff since January, will split his time over the next few weeks between his city duties and leading talks for Florida Blue as a Sept. 30 deadline looms in contentious contract negotiations over how much money the hospital is paid.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
The deadlock regards how much Florida Blue reimburses Baptist Health and physicians. If a deal isn’t reached, Florida Blue customers will lose in-network services, resulting in higher costs or losing their physicians altogether.
Florida Blue CEO Pat Geraghty tells Becker the insurance company is “standing in the breach” trying to protect Jacksonville residents from rate increases.