Florida Gov. Rick Scott and other Republicans have agreed to require — pending federal approval — the state's Medicaid recipients to enroll in managed-care plans in hopes of keeping healthcare costs down and better coordinating medical services, according to a report by Kaiser Health News.
Florida lawmakers approved the measure in 2011, but still await a waiver from the federal government to implement the changes. A partial determination from the feds is expected in February.
Those in favor of the new Medicaid requirement for more than 3.2 million Floridians say it could save the state program about $20.8 billion in its first fiscal year, according to the report.
Those opposed worry profit-seeking organizations will cut on the number and quality of services provided to maximize margins, and have called for a boost to regulators to oversee managed-care organizations if the waiver is granted.
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Florida lawmakers approved the measure in 2011, but still await a waiver from the federal government to implement the changes. A partial determination from the feds is expected in February.
Those in favor of the new Medicaid requirement for more than 3.2 million Floridians say it could save the state program about $20.8 billion in its first fiscal year, according to the report.
Those opposed worry profit-seeking organizations will cut on the number and quality of services provided to maximize margins, and have called for a boost to regulators to oversee managed-care organizations if the waiver is granted.
More Articles on Medicaid:
Top 10 Physician Complaints of 2012
For-Profit Hospital Stocks in 2012: The Year in Review
WellPoint Finalizes Acquisition of Amerigroup