Florida Bill Would Require ‘Essential’ Providers to Contract with Medicaid Plans or Lose Supplemental Payments

February 2020 ~

The House Appropriations Committee on, February 5, approved HB 5201, a bill that, if finalized, would require “essential” providers to contract with all Medicaid managed care plans in their region or face the loss of supplemental payments. The Florida Senate wants to extend the change for one year, including it in a budget “implementing” bill (SPB 2502) for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

According to the bill’s summary, HB 5201:

• terminates Welfare Transition Trust Fund within DOH;
• revises provision relating to a contribution by residents of certain health care facilities;
• revises certain provisions & dates relating to AHCA’s responsibilities under the Medicaid program;
• requires nursing homes to annually submit to AHCA financial data;
• authorizes the agency to receive certain funds to make Low Income Pool Program payments;
• requires certain providers to contract with managed care plans as a condition of receiving certain funding;
• requires Secretary of Health Care Administration to make certain certifications to Governor & Legislature; and
• provides for type two transfer of Florida Correctional Medical Authority to DOH.

HB 5201 is currently scheduled to take effect July 1, 2020.

Source(s): News4Jax; HMA Weekly Roundup February 5, 2020; Fox35Orlando; Health News Florida;