Miami health brief: Measles count rises; HIV drug assistance rule shifts; Florida Blue-Cleveland Clinic agreement
Miami, FL – March 2, 2026 – Florida measles cases rose again, while HIV drug assistance rules shift and insurer-network news hits local patients.
Miami-area residents are tracking a new round of Florida measles numbers, along with policy and insurance updates that could affect access to care across South Florida.
Outbreak watch: Miami-Dade listed among counties reporting measles
Florida’s measles count rose sharply in the latest statewide update, according to a Florida Department of Health report cited by CBS Miami. The report showed 114 diagnoses statewide for 2026 as of Feb. 21, up from 92 as of Feb. 14.
Miami-Dade was included on the list of counties that have reported measles cases this year, alongside multiple other Florida counties. CBS Miami reported that most of Florida’s cases have been concentrated in Collier County, where officials have linked a large share of infections to an outbreak associated with Ave Maria University. The same report said most cases were among people ages 15 to 24.
Health coverage: State HIV medication assistance rule takes effect March 1
A statewide emergency rule from the Florida Department of Health is changing eligibility for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which helps some Floridians afford HIV medications. The rule took effect March 1 and lowers the income threshold used to qualify for assistance, according to reporting by Them.
Them reported that the change reduces eligibility from 400% of the federal poverty level to 130% and could affect thousands of people. The report also described legal challenges filed by AIDS Healthcare Foundation seeking to block the shift and questioning how the change was implemented.
Health insurance: Florida Blue members keep in-network access at Cleveland Clinic
For patients who use Cleveland Clinic Florida locations, the health system announced Feb. 27 that it reached a new agreement with Florida Blue. Cleveland Clinic said the deal keeps it in-network for Florida Blue members with employer-sponsored plans, Health Insurance Marketplace coverage, and Medicare Advantage plans, helping avoid disruptions for scheduled care.
Medicaid managed care: hearing scheduled in contract dispute
An administrative law judge has scheduled a September hearing in challenges to Florida’s Medicaid managed-care contracting process, Florida Trend reported Feb. 25. The article said AmeriHealth Caritas Florida and Sentara Care Alliance allege the state improperly shut them out of new contracts awarded by the Agency for Health Care Administration.
Florida Trend reported that about 3.1 million Medicaid beneficiaries are enrolled in managed-care plans statewide, and that the multiyear contracts involve tens of billions of dollars.
Sources
If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical care. For general questions, talk with a licensed clinician.
