Law Would Boost Medicaid Payments To Florida Doctors
July 13, 2012
In a move aimed at getting doctors to treat more low-income patients, the federal health overhaul likely will lead to increased Medicaid payments to Florida primary-care physicians.
The federal Affordable Care Act, which was largely upheld last month by the U.S. Supreme Court, requires higher Medicaid payments to primary-care physicians in 2013 and 2014. Florida Republican lawmakers had not started moving forward with the higher payments because of their broader opposition to the act, which they deride as “Obamacare.”
Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said Thursday he hopes Congress will ultimately repeal the act. But even if such a repeal happens, Negron said he supports the state increasing Medicaid payments to primary-care physicians
“It’s real simple,” Negron said. “If you pay people fairly for their work, they’re happy to take on more patients.”
The federal government would fully fund the increased payments in 2013 and 2014, though Florida would have to pick up a share of the additional costs in later years. The act would require Medicaid payments to primary-care physicians, such as family doctors and pediatricians, to mirror higher payment levels in the Medicare program.
In Florida, that could be a substantial boost for some types of doctors. As an example, Tallahassee physician Louis St. Petery, executive vice president of the Florida Pediatric Society, said pediatricians who treat Medicaid patients get paid an average of 56 percent of what Medicare would pay.
St. Petery and officials of other physician groups said the low Medicaid payment rates have deterred doctors from seeing Medicaid beneficiaries, which has created problems in patients having access to care. St. Petery said many doctors consider the higher Medicare payment levels as “the break-even rate.”
“For years, we have argued that Medicaid payment for physician services should be on par with Medicare payment,” Tim Stapleton, executive vice president of the Florida Medical Association, said in an e-mail. “The fact is that Florida physicians are paid very poorly under Medicaid. As a result, many physicians do not accept Medicaid, not because they don’t want to take care of these patients, but because they can’t afford to treat them.”
The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in late June upheld most of the Affordable Care Act, though it gave states an option about whether to go along with part of the law that would expand Medicaid eligibility to more low-income people. Gov. Rick Scott, an outspoken critic of the act, has said Florida will not expand Medicaid eligibility, at least in part because of the possibility of increased costs in the future.
But while the state appears unlikely to expand eligibility, it might have little choice about carrying out the physician-payment increases. In an e-mail to other members of the governor’s staff last week, Jane Johnson, a health-policy aide to Scott, indicated that the physician payment increases are not optional.
In response to a question Thursday about Scott’s stance on moving forward with the increases, spokesman Lane Wright said in an e-mail: “Governor Scott has stated he will comply with any part of the law that is required before January 1, but he hopes the law will be repealed before any of these other provisions go into effect.”
A Senate budget plan early this year included fine print that would have allowed the state to use $438.5 million in federal funds to increase primary-care physician payments in January 2013. But House leaders would not go along with the idea, because it was linked to the Affordable Care Act, which was under review at the Supreme Court.
With the issue being left out of the budget, it is somewhat unclear how the state could move forward with the increased physician rates in January. One possibility would be for the Legislative Budget Commission, a joint House and Senate panel that can make budget changes, to take up the issue.
The state’s costs of increasing physician payment rates also are unclear, though a January analysis indicated the cost during the 2014-15 fiscal year — the first year the state would have to pick up part of the tab — would be as much as $188.6 million.
Michelle Dahnke, a spokeswoman for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, said in an e-mail Thursday that the state is waiting for information from the federal government about the “impact” of the Supreme Court decision on various parts of the Affordable Care Act. She said the agency has not updated the cost estimates since January.
Regardless of the federal law, Negron said he thinks the state can find money to increase physician payments. He said, for example, that the state has increased payment levels for dentists who treat children enrolled in Medicaid. Also, a 2011 law aimed at transforming Medicaid into a statewide managed-care system includes a provision to spur higher physician payments.
“It’s about priorities,” Negron said. “And making sure our friends and neighbors on Medicaid can see a doctor is a top priority for me.”
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Caregiver Support Meeting Scheduled
July 13, 2012
The Council on Aging of West Florida will host a Century Caregiver Support Group Meeting on Thursday, July 19 at 6 p.m.
There is no cost and the public is invited. Reservations are not required. The meeting will be held at Century Care Center located at 6020 Industrial Blvd. The group meets on the third Thursday of each month at the same time and location. County residency is not required to attend.
The support group is designed to reduce stress, increase coping skills, provide strategies for effective management of care giving tasks and enable caregivers to provide high quality care in the home. The programs are sponsored by Council on Aging of West Florida, the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging. For more information, call (850) 432-1475.
Cab Driver Stabbed, Robbed
July 12, 2012
A Yellow Cab driver was robbed and stabbed earlier this morning by a man he had just picked up for transport. The incident occurred just before 6 a.m. south of Cervantes Street on L Street.
The victim, 62-year old Bill Whittaker, told Pensacola Police Officer Shawn Dockery he was dispatched to the 4100 block of Mobile Highway just after 5:30 a.m. to pick up the man. Once he got into the cab, the suspect initially told the driver to take him to A and Cervantes streets, but when they reached that area, he changed his destination to C and Cervantes streets.
Dockery said when they reached the second location, the suspect said he wanted to go to L and Cervantes streets. Whittaker was attacked when he stopped just south of Cervantes on L Street.
Dockery said the suspect, who was sitting in the back seat, put a knife to the driver’s neck and demanded cash. Whittaker then struggled with the suspect, who managed to stab him in the upper right thigh.
Whittaker then gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash before the suspect got out of the cab and ran west on Cervantes Street, Dockery said.
The suspect was described as a black male in his 30’s and about six feet tall. Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police
Department at (850) 435-1900.
One Arrested: Traffic Stop Nets Nearly 2 Pounds Of Pot, Cash And A Gun
July 12, 2012
A Century traffic stop turned up nearly two pounds of marijuana, over $700 in cash, a gun and other drugs — landing one woman in jail.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies observed a suspicious vehicle pull behind a mobile home at 9520 Ivey Street in Century and later watched as two black males entered the trailer.
Inside the suspicious vehicle, deputies found Antoinette Johnae Thompson, age 23.
Also in the vehicle, deputies found a .22 caliber pistol, numerous bags containing a total of one pound, 13 ounces of marijuana, Percocet pills and $709 in currency, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Deputies knocked on the front door of the mobile home for several minutes before the owner exited. She denied that two black males had entered the residence, despite a deputy observing them inside through an unobstructed window, the report states. The homeowner would not allow deputies to search the mobile home.
Thompson, according to the report, denied that the items in the rental car belong to her, and she denied knowing the names of the two men.
Thompson was charged with possession of marijuana over 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,000 bond.
Two Injured: Small Plane Crashes In Escambia County
July 12, 2012
Two people were injured when a small airplane crashed shortly after takeoff Wednesday evening in Escambia County.
The crash happened at Ferguson Airport, near the intersection of Blue Angle Parkway and Highway 98, at about 6:45 p.m.
Two Pensacola men -James Gudaitis, 50, and Aaron Young, 29 – were transported to Baptist Hospital for treatment. Gudaitis was listed in serious condition while Young was treated and released. The plane was a Piper PA-28-140.
The accident will be investigated by the National Transportation and Safety Board.
Escambia Deputy Shot At Apartment Complex
July 12, 2012
[Updated] A bulletproof vest is being credited with saving the life of an Escambia County deputy who was shot Wednesday night at the Oakwood Terrace Apartments on Truman Avenue off W Street.
Deputy Ryan Robinson, 32, was shot. He has worked for the Sheriff’s Office since 2006.
A shot was fired into Robinson’s stomach, but his bulletproof vest stopped the round. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by ambulance for evaluation. He was treated and released, and is now recovering at home on paid administrative leave pending a medical release.
The incident happened about 10:45 p.m. as three members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Anti-Crime Unit, also known as TAC unit, were conducting “proactive police work” in the apartment complex. Deputies Robinson gave chase, and one of the men fired at a him.
Deputies quickly surrounded one apartment and removed four people, once of which they believed to be the shooter. In the meantime, someone stole an unmarked TAC Unit vehicle that was found abandoned a short time later a few blocks away at the intersection of Coons and Norris avenues. A manhunt followed in the area for the suspect with numerous officers, K-9 units and the department’s helicopter.
The manhunt for the suspect and the investigation continued into the early morning hours with the assistance of the Pensacola Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol.
There have been no arrests. The suspect in the deputy shooting is considered armed and dangerous, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP
Pictured: The scene at the Oakwood Terrace Apartments on Truman Avenue off W Street after an officer was shot Wednesday night. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No FEMA Help: Escambia Stuck With Millions In Flood Costs
July 12, 2012
The entire tab for flooding in Escambia County will fall on the county and its insurance companies.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has turned down the state’s request to declare a disaster area due to the June 9-10 weekend rainfall event that flooded portions of the county. That means FEMA won’t help the county pay for damages and will not offer any assistance to individuals that were impacted by the record setting rains that exceeded 20 inches in some locations.
Overall damage in the county was estimated at well over $20 million, including $10 million to public buildings and $3 million to the Sheriff’s Office.
Damage to buildings will be covered by insurance, but the county will be left with about $4.5 million in uncovered damages to roads, bridges and drainage infrastructure.
Pictured: Flooding damage June 9 at the Escambia County Jail. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Citizens Looks To Transfer Inland Insurance Policies
July 12, 2012
Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s new CEO said Wednesday the state-backed insurer would try to transfer up to 500,000 inland policies to the private sector as its first order of business — including policies of North Escambia area Citizens customers.
Speaking to reporters a month after taking the reins, CEO Barry Gilway said he would like Citizens to shrink its exposure to under 1 million policies, in large part by reducing the number of policyholders in non-coastal areas who represent the fastest growing sector for Citizens. The corporation now insures about 1.5 million policyholders.
To do that, Gilway said he plans to tap into the network of private insurance agencies and woo potential carriers to pick up the less risky, non-coastal residential policies known as PLAs now being handled by Citizens.
“Step number one is getting the PLA policy counts down to where they were at least two-and-a-half or three years ago,” Gilway said. “That’s where the huge increase has occurred, and that provides the greatest opportunity to provide financially viable alternatives for our insured.”
Going forward, Gilway said Citizens rates need to be higher to more accurately reflect the risk, instead of relying on assessments to make up the difference in the event of a serious storm. Many Citizens policyholders don’t realize that they will be on the hook for hefty assessments if a major storm occurs.
But he also said that policyholders should not be required to immediately foot the bill for their entire insurance coverage, saying the spike in premiums would be too severe.
“Step two? You’ll probably have to talk to me after 90 days,” Gilway said.
Since its inception 10 years ago, Citizens has been transformed from the insurer of last resort to the state’s largest property insurer, with potential losses eclipsing $500 billion.
Despite the challenges facing the insurer, Gilway said Florida has led the nation in looking at ways to transfer some of the financial responsibility to private re-insurers, including the recent transfer of more than $750 million in risk to private, non-traditional investors.
While access to private capital is a positive step, Gilway said reducing the number of policyholders under the Citizens umbrella is the only way to provide long term savings.
The Citizens Board of Governors has scheduled a workshop next week to address rates and other changes to make private insurers more willing to return to the market.
“As an insurer of last resort, our basic objective should be to provide coverage and provide a solution for individuals where there simply isn’t any other choice in the marketplace,” Gilway said.
By The News Service of Florida
DirecTV Drops Viacom Networks Over Dispute
July 12, 2012
A dispute continues between DirecTV and Viacom, leaving DirecTV customers without 17 channels including Nickelodeon, TV Land, VH1, MTV and Comedy Central.
Both companies blame each other for the blackout, which started about 11:00 North Escambia time Tuesday night over a dispute regarding how much DirecTV pays Viacom for programming.
“We have been very willing to get a deal done, but Viacom is pushing DIRECTV customers to pay more than a 30 percent increase, which equates to an extra $1 billion, despite the fact that the ratings for many of their main networks have plummeted and much of Viacom’s programming can be seen for free online,” said Derek Chang, a DirecTV vice president.
Meanwhile, Viacom tosses the blame back at DirecTV.
“We proposed a fair deal that amounted to an increase of only a couple pennies per day, per subscriber, and we remained willing to negotiate that deal right up to this evening’s deadline,” according to a Viacom statement. “However, DirecTV refused to engage in meaningful conversation. We are hopeful that DirecTV will work with us toward a resolution and stop denying its subscribers access to the networks they watch most.”
About 20 million households — one-fifth of all cable or satellite subscribers in the country — are affected by the squabble.
Pictured top: This screen replaced Viacom programming on DirecTV Tuesday night.
Escambia Man Get Prison On Drug, Weapon Charges
July 12, 2012
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to prison on drug and weapons charges.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said Miguel Rios was sentenced by Judge Jan Shackelford to 25 years state prison as a habitual felony offender. After a two-day trial, a jury convicted Rios of trafficking in cocaine and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
The charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. On September 22, 2011, Rios sold a firearm and trafficking amount of narcotics to an undercover deputy with the intent to have the officer transport the drugs across state lines and distribute them. During the course of the investigation, Rios made claims that he was a member of the Zeta cartel, a Mexican drug cartel known for its violence, Eddins said.
Rios has previously been convicted of murder in Texas and was a convicted felon.