By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-987503.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida is closer to reaching a deal with the federal government to extend a five-county Medicaid managed care pilot program. It was set to expire in June but a series of waivers have kept it going. State officials to keep the pilot for another year as they work to implement a statewide version of managed care. But as Lynn Hatter reports, the hang up over the extension is coming over a special pot of federal money that's set to expire.
The Low Income Pool sends Florida a billion dollars each year to give to hospitals for the treatment of uninsured Floridians. It's a part of the state's Medicaid pilot program. Now the federal government wants to end the LIP pool six months early and state officials worry Florida could be left with a $500-million dollar bill. Liz Dudek heads the state agency for Healthcare Administration.
"We have been trying, we've tried to be heard, and while I wouldn't say we're kicking and screaming, we're doing it as politely as possible."
The federal government is also considering allowing the state to take its Medicaid managed care pilot statewide. Agency officials say the feds will most likely take the expansion up once the pilot program is approved.