ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — One of the state's biggest suppliers of health care equipment for Medicaid patients just announced it wants out of the business.
That's leaving a number of people trying to figure out how to get medical equipment.
Since Florida privatized Medicaid, Univita has dominated the market supplying things like oxygen tanks.
On Thursday, today a message on Univita's website is telling anyone needing medical equipment to turn to someone else.
Now tens of thousands of Medicaid patients throughout the state are struggling to get critical supplies.
Gene Sego owns a medical supply store in Casselberry. He's also the president of the Florida Alliance of Home Care Services, which is now trying to fill the gap Univita is leaving.
"With them being the most high risk population we have in the health care industry, they need it and they need it now," said Sego.
For the last few years insurers have contracted with Univita to provide supplies for Medicaid patients.
With the company no ending their Medicaid business in the state, Sego said insurers are calling local businesses like his, but he said most suppliers won't jump on board because the plans aren't guaranteeing they'll reimburse them for the expensive equipment.
That's leaving some of those most in need of the services in limbo.
Those who think believe their medical supplies could be impacted are urged to contact their insurers directly, or contact the Agency for Health Care Administration in Tallahassee.
WFTV
