Florida PHP

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BROWARD HEALTH HOSPITALS

After May 31, 2022, Broward Health hospitals will no longer be in PHP (HMO SNP)’s provider network.  We made the decision to terminate our contract with Broward Health because we were not able to negotiate a fair contract with Broward Health.  Our decision to terminate our contract was not made lightly.

We have been contracted with Broward Health since PHP started operation in Florida in 2008.  We rely on Broward Health hospitals to provide emergency and inpatient care and outpatient services to our members.  This care, however, comes at a considerably higher cost than what our other network hospitals receive for the same care and services.

We have attempted over the past year to negotiate with Broward Health, which is a public health system, for hospital payment rates that are in line with what Medicare pays hospitals for patients who have Original Medicare.  Unfortunately, we reached an impasse — Broward Health’s best and final offer is that we pay them 80% more than what Medicare pays for hospital services.  This offer is considerably higher than what we pay our other network hospitals.

Broward Health’s final offer to us is especially concerning when we consider its hospitals’ Medicare ratings on quality.  Every year, Medicare rates hospitals on quality and safety of care on a 5-star scale.[1]  The higher the number of stars, the better the hospital.  Broward General and Broward North hospitals are ranked 2-stars, Broward Coral Springs is ranked 3-stars, and Imperial Point is ranked 4-stars.  Broward Health is expecting PHP to pay a premium for care that is not rated highly.

PHP is affiliated with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that provides care to people with HIV regardless of their ability to pay.  The fact that Broward Health, a public health system, wants to continue to gouge PHP to take care of its members is not acceptable nor is it right, especially considering Broward Health’s hospital ratings.

So, as noted, all of the Broward Health hospitals, Broward General Medical Center, Broward Health North, Imperial Point and Broward Coral Springs, will be not part of PHP’s network after May 31, 2022.  PHP will work with your provider to have any elective surgeries or procedures done at other network hospitals after May 31, 2022.

Remember, should you experience a medical emergency, you should go to any hospital that is closest to you for emergency care, even if that hospital is a Broward Health facility.

We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause you.  If you have any questions about this notice, please call Member Services at (888) 456-4715, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, seven days a week.  TTY users call 711.

[1] Medicare Hospital Compare is found at www.medicare.gov/care-compare.  (By clicking on this link, you will be taken to a website that is operated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and not by PHP.)