The pharmaceutical services company that runs a program to offer discounted drugs to about 250,000 uninsured Floridians is challenging the Agency for Healthcare Administration's decision to award the contract to a different company.

The Discount Drug Card Program is designed to make medication more affordable for millions of the state's residents who don't have adequate health insurance coverage but can't qualify for Medicaid. The program is free both for participants and the state.

Tampa-based EnvisionRxOptions currently runs the program, but the agency last month announced it intended to award the contract to WellDyneRx, which is based in Lakeland. 
Envision protested the decision, and on Friday AHCA referred the complaint to the Division of Administrative Hearings.

Among other complaints, envision contends the agency didn't give enough weight to manufacturer's rebates and other "innovative, but alternative" benefits the company intended to offer the state and participants in the program. It wants the agency to reject all the companies' submissions and restart the procurement.
WellDyne has intervened in the proceeding, arguing the agency's decision was based on "fair and open competition" and "legally correct and appropriate." A date for a hearing has not been set.

Related Research: View AHCA's response to vendor questions, a description of the contract, Envision Medical Solutions' formal bid protest, and the WellDyneRX motion to intervene.

Reporter Travis Pillow can be reached at tpillow@thefloridacurrent.com.