Thousands of Florida Blue customers are in limbo as they wait to learn if Baptist Health Systems will remain in-network for their medical bills.

Patient advocates give advice for steps to take while preparing for possible loss of in-network health care coverage at month's end.

NCH and Florida Blue have two weeks to forge a new contract yet both sides contend the other party is not being fair. Officials with the nonprofit hospital system in Collier County say reimbursement from Florida Blue has been 30% to 40% lower than what competitors get for the same services.

Florida Blue and Baptist Health, which have been in talks for months, have stepped up the pace of their negotiating sessions.