Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Inc. expects to end coverage at Manatee Memorial Hospital and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center at the start of next year. The hospitals, under the umbrella of the Manatee Hospitals and Health System Inc., informed Blue Cross that they would terminate contracts effective Jan. 1. Negotiations are continuing, Blue Cross said in a release. The health insurer said it has not been able to come to an agreement that is consistent with its goal of providing affordable healthcare choices for its members.
