The federal government gave final approval Friday to Florida's long-debated plan to overhaul the Medicaid system. The decision means Medicaid beneficiaries statewide will be required to enroll in HMOs and other types of managed-care plans.
The decision wasn't a surprise: Federal officials signaled earlier this year they would grant approval.
But Friday's announcement was a victory for Governor Rick Scott and Republican lawmakers who approved the proposal in 2011 amid controversy about whether the changes would best serve the needs of low-income Floridians.Florida CHAIN, a patient-advocacy group that has been among the plan's most-vocal critics, says the federal government included safeguards that will help protect beneficiaries.
For instance, HMOs will have to spend at least 85% of the money they receive on patient care.
But Florida CHAIN also said patients and advocates will have to remain "vigilant" against delayed, denied and disrupted care.