Miami health update: Measles totals rise statewide; Florida Blue-Cleveland Clinic deal reached; HIV medication assistance rules tighten

ByWeence

Miami, FL – March 4, 2026 – Measles case counts in Florida climbed again, while Florida Blue and ADAP program changes could affect Miami patients.

Miami-area health officials and providers are tracking a fast-moving measles picture statewide while two separate access-to-care issues—insurance contracts and HIV medication assistance—remain in focus for South Florida patients.

Outbreak watch: Miami-Dade listed among Florida measles counties

Florida’s measles total rose to 114 cases for 2026 in the Florida Department of Health’s reportable disease reporting, up from 92 the prior week, according to CBS News Miami. Miami-Dade was included on the list of counties reporting cases this year. Most cases have been concentrated in Collier County, where state officials have tied a large share of infections to an outbreak linked to Ave Maria University. State reporting cited by CBS News Miami also showed most cases were among people ages 15 to 24, and that many cases were acquired within Florida.

Health insurance: Florida Blue and Cleveland Clinic Florida reach agreement

Some Florida Blue members in South Florida had been watching a contract deadline involving Cleveland Clinic Florida, a system that includes Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital in Broward County, WUSF reported. On February 27, Cleveland Clinic announced it had secured a new agreement with Florida Blue. Cleveland Clinic said the deal will keep the health system in-network for Florida Blue members with employer-sponsored plans, Health Insurance Marketplace coverage, and Medicare Advantage plans, aiming to avoid interruptions in care for patients who use Cleveland Clinic physicians and facilities.

Healthcare access: ADAP emergency rule tightens HIV medication assistance

Separately, an emergency rule from the Florida Department of Health took effect March 1 that changes eligibility for the state AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which helps some low-income, uninsured, or underinsured residents access HIV medications, according to an ABC News report carried by WPHM and additional reporting by them.us. The reporting said the rule lowers the income threshold used to qualify—from 400% of the federal poverty level to 130%—and limits coverage related to Biktarvy, a commonly used once-daily HIV medication. Advocates and medical groups cited in the coverage said thousands of Floridians could be at risk of losing help with medications under the change. State officials said the emergency rule is intended to address rising costs and avert a projected program shortfall, and the coverage described the rule as time-limited.

Sources

https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/florida-measles-cases-jump-third-most-in-country/
https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/27/cdc-florida-has-107-confirmed-measles-cases/
https://www.wusf.org/health-news-florida/2026-02-26/florida-blue-cleveland-clinic-florida-face-sunday-deadline-to-reach-new-contract
https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2026/02/27/cleveland-clinic-and-florida-blue-secure-new-agreement
https://www.wphm.net/2026/03/01/florida-department-of-health-cuts-to-hiv-aids-program-enacted-as-thousands-risk-losing-access/
https://www.them.us/story/florida-hiv-aids-funding-medication-access-emergency-rule

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Brian 'Weence' Bateman is a seasoned medical and health writer with over a decade of experience in web development, search optimization, and social media for dentists and healthcare providers. His in-depth knowledge and dedication to the field are evident in the meticulously researched and informative content he produces.

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