With a deadline looming for a new contract between Naples Comprehensive Health and insurer Florida Blue, the health care system and the carrier both said Sept. 30 that negotiations are ongoing.

Kara Down, spokesperson for NCH, confirmed negotiations are “still occurring.”

Florida Blue spokesperson Estella Gray said, “Florida Blue continues to work on an agreement to keep NCH in our network. We value the doctors, nurses and medical personnel and want NCH to remain part of our network for the Naples community.”

Without a contract by Oct. 1, NCH would no longer be in network for about 40,000 Florida Blue members, resulting in higher out-of-pocket payments for those still choosing to use NCH services, facilities and physicians.

All commercial, Medicare Advantage and Exchange Florida Blue health insurance plans would be impacted, NCH officials said.

At issue is NCH seeking a 9.5% increase in payment rates from Florida Blue for each year of a three-year contract, down from an initial request of 13.5%. NCH officials said Florida Blue’s last offer was 5% in mid-September.