Fla. proposes charging Medically Needy

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida health officials are moving tens of thousands of Medicaid patients, with serious medical conditions, into managed care plans.

But health care administrators said they worry patients won't be able to afford the proposed monthly premiums, which they said could lead to lapses in care.

Right now, the state pays the monthly medical bills of more than 250,000 patients a year with high health care costs under the Medically Needy program.

The state said it wants those patients to start paying about $120 a month to receive services.

If they can't pay, they are kicked out of the program after 90 days and have to requalify, according to the state.

Health plans estimate it could cost them $97.8 million a year to cover patients during those 90 days.

WFTV