Dear Editor,

Florida Blue insurance is playing a game of chicken with most of the major health care systems in Broward County and it is putting our children at risk.

On July 1^st of this year, after failed contract negotiations, Broward Health was reclassified as “out-of-network” with Florida Blue. Memorial Health Care went out-of-network on September 1^st for the same reason. Now Cleveland Clinic in Weston is in negotiations with Florida Blue. If the pattern holds, Cleveland Clinic could be out of network as early as March 1, 2026.  

Broward and Memorial Health Care systems state that they are simply asking Florida Blue to reimburse them at rates comparable to those given other health care providers in South Florida. Florida Blue claims these healthcare systems are demanding unreasonable rates. On their website, Florida Blue says they, “have many high-quality local hospitals and doctors in the area ready to take care of our members’ care needs.” Let’s see if that holds true…

My husband and I both have complex medical histories. Our family has Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance through my employer. Most of our physicians are with Broward Health, so we have to find a new primary care doctor and at least eight new specialists. It’s frustrating to have to start all over again, but I can push through. What I can’t abide is Florida Blue putting my child and all Broward County children at risk.

The No Surprises Act ensures that our whole family can receive care at the Emergency Department of any hospital and pay in-network rates. There are plenty of ERs to choose from in Broward, with many also providing specialized care for children. However, if my son needs to be admitted to the hospital our only option for in-patient care in Broward County that is in-network with Florida Blue is now limited to the 22-bed pediatrics unit at Holy Cross Hospital. If my son were to need life saving surgery after an accident, or an illness warranted inpatient care by a specialist or even admission to a pediatric intensive care unit, then we are put in an untenable situation. Due to this year’s failed negotiations, there are ZERO pediatric intensive care beds in Broward County that are in-network with Florida Blue.

In an emergency situation time is of the essence. As loving parents, we aren’t going to waste time driving down to Miami’s Niclaus Children’s Hospital so we can avoid larger bills. We won’t gamble with our son’s life. Instead, we would consent to receive care for our son at a local, out-of-network hospital. The cost of out-of-network inpatient care would likely lead to a crippling financial situation for our family. How many families in South Florida have tens of thousands of dollars sitting around in an emergency fund for large, unexpected medical bills?

Florida Blue is the largest health insurer in Florida. Their website says that they are committed to providing “critical coverage that delivers peace of mind” and that they are “always looking out for you, your family, and your community…” A bold blue banner on their page claims “It’s in our DNA to create the solutions our communities need to stay healthy. We’re with you all the way, Florida.”

There are over 400,000 children under the age of 18 that live in Broward County. Only 22 pediatric hospital beds in-network with the state’s largest insurer in the state’s second most populous county? Zero PICU beds covered in-network? Failure to come to an equitable compensation agreement after months of negotiations with the two not-for-profit flagship health care systems in our county?

I’m not willing to gamble with my son’s life, but it seems that Florida Blue is.

Reverend Corrie Montoya
Davie resident, Blue Cross Blue Shield policy holder, and a very concerned mother.