There is a lawyer proposed amendment to the Florida state constitution that would require Doctor’s be paid the same rate for the same service, whether they’re treating a Medicaid, Medicare, or private pay or HMO patient.
The doctor’s are saying they will have to accept the lowest fee, the Medicaid fee. Because of that they won’t see any Medicaid patients unless the state will raise those fees to private levels.
The Docs are fighting back and the Florida State Financial Impact Estimating Conference will now look into this. Their decision isn’t due to later this year. They will have to decide if this amendment will cause the state to pay more to Docs in Medicaid fees. This might increase the state’s budget without any means of paying for it except to raise taxes
If they are trying to do this to Docs…can orthotists and other medical professionals be far behind?
Forget about the future of “low bidder”. This development could have far more impact on O&P in Florida.
“Keep up by staying ahead”
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Charles Barocas, CO
