BayCare Health System and Florida Blue have finalized a multi-year agreement to ensure continued access to BayCares hospitals, specialty physicians, and services across West Central Florida.

This comes hours before the old deal was set to expire.

The agreement, which takes effect Wednesday, Oct. 1, covers all 16 BayCare hospitals. Most Florida Blue members will experience no interruptions, although the deal will end primary care access for a small group of Medicare Advantage plan members. Specialty physicians will remain available to all Florida Blue members, including those in Medicare Advantage.

BayCare and Florida Blue officials stated the agreement is particularly significant for Manatee County, where BayCare is constructing the countys only not-for-profit hospital in Palmetto, sche

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