VERO BEACH — Negotiations between Cleveland Clinic Florida and Florida Blue have hit a wall, leaving the future of in-network care at Vero Beach’s sole hospital uncertain for thousands of residents covered by the state’s largest health insurer.
According to Cleveland Clinic, both sides are currently in contract negotiations, and has warned that if a deal is not reached, its facilities—including Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach—could become out-of-network for Florida Blue members as early as March 1, 2026.
According to Florida Blue, the existing agreement ensures that members will continue to have in-network access to all Cleveland Clinic facilities and physicians through at least May 2026, giving both sides additional time to reach a new deal. Cleveland Clinic is seeking higher payments in response to rising costs and a competitive Florida market, where it relies significantly on private insurers like Florida Blue to balance its books.
Florida Blue, which covers nearly 6 million Floridians, countered that it has made reasonable offers aligned with inflation and local conditions. In today’s economy, where everyday expenses continue to rise, the company’s goal is to balance support for its hospital partners with protecting its members from unsustainable cost increases, it said in a statement. The insurer added that it is hoping to identify a solution that works for everyone, especially the patients and communities they collectively serve.
If no agreement is reached, the fallout could hit hard in Vero Beach, where Indian River is the only full-service hospital. Patients with employer-provided plans, Marketplace coverage or Medicare Advantage might face steeper out-of-pocket costs or have to switch providers. Still, continuity-of-care rules would safeguard patients getting ongoing treatment for major ailments like cancer or heart failure, along with expectant mothers. Emergencies would stay covered, even out-of-network.
Cleveland Clinic Florida operates five hospitals across the state, including sites in Martin County, St. Lucie County and Weston, with a new facility slated for West Palm Beach. Officials from both sides say discussions are ongoing, but with deadlines looming, community members like those awaiting diagnostic tests or treating chronic conditions are left in limbo.
Neither party provided further comment on the specifics of their proposals.
