TALLAHASSEE, FL. (WTXL) - Florida could be facing another Healthcare crisis. The state may be looking at a $500 million increase in its Medicaid costs.
The Private Health Plans that provide Medicaid Managed Care have asked for a 12% hike in their rates. Governor Rick Scott responded by auditing contracts between hospitals and insurers to see if they comply with a state medicaid law.
AHCA Secretary Liz Dudek discussed the issue at Wednesday's meeting of the Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding. Scott created the Commission this year to examine financing issues.
Dudek has asked hospitals and insurers to certify that they don't exceed the limit on Medicaid payment rates, "I think that's probably the next best step is ensure there are consequences in place for those who aren't complying with the current statue and additionally find other places where we can continue to publish the prices of health care. Because I think once consumers understand that this place charges 800 dollars for a MRI and this place charges $4,000, they're probably going to start asking, Why are you charging 4,000? and a lot of the times the answer is well because we can."
Dudek has asked hospitals and insurers to certify that they don't exceed the limit on Medicaid payment rates.
