By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-991046.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Starting in January some Florida businesses may have to pay more in workers compensation premiums. Lynn Hatter reports the state has authorized a nine-percent rate increase.
The rate increase was backed by insurance companies, and they say it was needed to offset the cost of drugs directly dispensed by doctors. In some cases those costs are higher than what pharmacies would charge to workers' comp clients. Florida NFIB President Bill Herle says the state should look at putting a cap on what doctors can charge for prescriptions.
"We have incidents out there right now where the drug costs are inflated by up to 600-percent because there are no cost-controls on it. We're calling on the legislature to take a serious look at this at their earliest opportunity in the 2012 session."
Two years ago the Legislature passed a bill limiting what doctors can charge for direct-sale pharmaceuticals, but it was vetoed by former Governor Charlie Crist.