SARASOTA – Florida Blue and Sarasota Memorial Health Care System are at a crossroads in contract negotiations that could ultimately result in Sarasota County’s public hospital and doctors affiliated with First Physicians Group becoming out-of-network providers. Florida Blue sent letters to more than 15,000 members in the Sarasota-Manatee County area Tuesday, alerting them that their contract with Sarasota Memorial will technically end April 1. On Wednesday, both sides indicated that the contract may be extended 90 days, through the end of June, based on what is currently, at least according to Sarasota Memorial, a verbal agreement. Florida Blue spokeswoman Christie DeNave characterized negotiations as an ongoing discussion.