Florida Blue will eliminate access to NCH primary care providers for approximately 6,000 Medicare Advantage plan members in Southwest Florida, beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

This change follows the recent conclusion of negotiations between NCH and Florida Blue, which resulted in a new reimbursement agreement. While the agreement ensures that NCH remains in-network for all other Florida Blue members, it will not include coverage for Medicare Advantage participants seeking primary care services.

In addition to Florida Blue, Cigna announced it also will discontinue coverage for primary care providers in Florida through its Medicare Advantage plan.

In September, Florida Blue informed Lee Health of its decision that primary care physicians would no longer be in Florida Blue’s Medicare Advantage plan network. Lee Health hospitals and specialists are still fully covered under the network, and this change affects less than 3,000 patients at Lee Health with Florida Blue.