Florida Agency for Health Care Administration list of Medicaid-related providers, information and resources: General Medicaid Information, Licensing and Regulation, Data Submission and Online Reporting, Medicaid Managed Care Related Services, Medicaid Managed Care Related Services, Medicaid Pharmacy Related Services, Licensing/Program Offices, Medicaid Provider Informational Publications, Medicaid Reimbursement Related Informationm, Publications, Reports and Forms, Field Offices

From the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration: Medicaid is the medical assistance program that provides access to health care for low-income families and individuals. Medicaid also assists aged and disabled people with the costs of nursing facility care and other medical...

List of Line Items Vetoed by Florida Governor Rick Scott at Budget Signing on May 26, 2011

To view the complete list of Florida Governor Rick Scott's line item vetoes, click here. All Governor's budget-related documents are he...

Florida Agency for Health Care Administration South Florida Medicare Managed Care Transition Public Meetings Scheduled for June 16; Series Begins In Tallahassee on June 10

Below, The Florida Current reports on Agency for Health Care Administration meetings that begin on June 10 in Tallahassee on the State of Florida's transition into Medicaid managed care.  Fort Lauderdale and Miami Gardens meetings take place on June 16; the West Palm Beach...

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO): What the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Is Doing About Identity Theft and Tax Returns

 The U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a May 25, 2011 Report on "Taxes and Identity Theft: Status of IRS Initiatives to Help Victimized Taxpayers"  (GAO-11-674T).  A summary and hyperlinks to the complete report are below:Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 17 pages) Accessible Text Identity theft is a serious and growing...

Florida Governor Rick Scott Doesn't Spare Health Care in His Budget Vetoes; False "Florida Forever" Accounting Comprises the Majority of "Cuts," However

Florida Governor Rick Scott officially signed the State Budget yesterday, May 26, in a highly scripted ceremony that took place in a Tea Party "stronghold" known as "The Villages."  Reports were that members of the public were turned away when they attempted to attend. ...

State's largest medical malpractice carrier reaps big windfall in sale; HB 479, the medical malpractice bill, awaits action by Florida Governor Rick Scott

While HB 479, the "medical malpractice" bill remains on the desk of Florida Governor Rick Scott pending his action, FPIC Insurance Group, the state’s largest medical malpractice insurer announced yesterday, May 24, 2011, that it has been sold for $362 million, which amounts to a...

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Tenet's new reservation system lets you stay home until emergency room doctors are ready

The Sun-Sentinel reported on a new Web site that allows patients to stay at home until emergency room doctors are ready to receive them: New reservation system lets you stay home until emergency room doctors are ready By Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel May 23, 2011 For $9.99, nine South Florida hospitals are guaranteeing immediate entry into their...

Public Versus Private Florida Hospital Battle Continues Into the Funding Arena: The Miami Herald Reports that HCA, Baptist Hospitals Are Gaining State Funds, While Jackson Health System Loses

After a bruising battle during the 2011 Florida Legislative Session over whether to require the any sale or lease of a public hospital that is owned by a county, district or municipality to be approved by a majority vote of the registered voters or by a circuit court, the public...

Florida Hospital Association Report on HMO Trends: HMO profits up in Florida even as enrollment is down

The Florida Hospital Association recently released a report on Florida HMO trends during the final quarter of 2010, as reported by The Florida Current below.  To view the complete report, click here. HMO profits up in Florida even as enrollment is down Christine Jordan Sexton, 5/20/2011 http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/ Commercial...

Associated Press and Brandenton Herald: Florida Launches an "Unprecedented Assault" on Watchdogs for the Oldest and Sickest; Federal Administration on Aging Launches Investigation Into Brian Lee's Dismissal

As turmoil continues in the face of new Florida laws that curtail litigation against nursing homes, the federal Administration on Aging has launched an investigation into former Florida Nursing Home Ombudsman Brian Lee's dismissal  . . . the Associated Press reports below (reprinted from the Bradenton Herald). Fla. nursing home watchdogs see...

Consumer Alert!! Attorney General Bondi’s Office Issues Investigative Subpoenas to

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office advised on May 20, 2011 that five prepaid debit card companies are being investigated for possible deceptive and unfair practices. The subpoenas were issued to the following companies: First Data Corporation Green Dot Account Now, Inc. Netspend Corporation Unirush Financial Services, LLC  The Attorney...

Naples Daily News: New Florida Law Would Allow Retirement Communities to Aid Seniors Still in Their Homes

Left: State Representative Kathleen Passidomo sponsored CS/CS/HB 1037 to allow continuing care at-home contracts to be offered to consumers in Florida.  As of May 22, 2010, Florida Governor Rick Scott has not yet acted on the legislation. An article from the Naples Daily...

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO): Hospital Emergency Departments: Health Center Strategies That May Help Reduce Their Use

The U.S. Government Accountability Office ("GAO") issued a May 11, 2011 transcript of testimony given by  GAO Health Care Director Debra A. Draper before the U.S.Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging.  The report (#GAO-11-643T) is entitled "Hospital Emergency Departments: ...

Miami Herald: Son of Democratic State Representative Daphne Campbell was charged with defrauding Medicaid of nearly $300,000

From The Miami Herald today, May 20, 2011: State lawmaker’s son charged with Medicaid fraud The son of Democratic state Rep. Daphne Campbell was charged with defrauding Medicaid of nearly $300,000. BY JULIE K. BROWNjbrown@MiamiHerald.com Gregory Campbell, the son of Democratic state Rep. Daphne Campbell, has been snared in a $299,000 Medicaid...