The clock is ticking on negotiations between Baptist Health and Florida Blue with tens of thousands of patients stuck in the middle.

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.

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.

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

With a Sept. 30 deadline looming for contract negotiations between NCH and insurer Florida Blue, NCHhosted a public meeting

Florida Blue has less than two weeks to go in contract talks with Baptist Health and Naples Comprehensive Health. Baptist Health sees some progress.

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