© 2025 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WFSU-FM is currently broadcasting at reduced power. We apologize for this inconvenience. And remember, you can stream or listen to WFSU on the App.

State settles lawsuit with Medicaid HMO

The Tampa-based HMO WellCare has agreed to a $137 million payout to settle a lawsuit that accuses the company of committing Medicare and Medicaid fraud. Lynn Hatter reports the settlement marks an agreement involving nine states including Florida, and the federal government.

WellCare contracts with governments to run Medicaid and Medicare managed care plans. It’s accused of “cherry-picking” enrollees to maximize profits, over-charging for cost of care, and not returning money when the state of Florida made payment errors—something it was required to do in its contract. Florida Attorney General Spokeswoman Jenn Meale says the state will get $54 million from the settlement.

 “The bulk of the money Florida will receive will go to the Agency for Healthcare Administration.”

That’s the agency that oversees the state’s Medicaid program.  WellCare settled its criminal case two years ago. It was accused of $40 million  worth of Florida Medicaid fraud. 

Follow @HatterLynn

Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University and Florida State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master's in Professional Communication. Lynn has been with WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas.  She has worked with several organizations, including Kaiser Health News.  Lynn has also partnered with USC-Annenberg's Center for Child Wellbeing on the nationally acclaimed series "Committed," which explored the prevalence of involuntary commitment use on children.
She serves on the board of RTDNA and the United Way of the Big Bend, with previous service on the board of the First Amendment Foundation of Florida.

Find complete bio, contact info, and more stories here.