Panel to Decide Provider Fee Updates Worth $120 Million in System Costs

Florida's Three-Member Panel today will consider increasing provider reimbursements and raising system costs by 3.3% for next year, which when coupled with the recent 14.5% rate hike would negate nearly a third of the savings from the state's 2003 reforms. Florida’s premiums dropped 60% after the Legislature passed Senate Bill 50A 14 years ago. The sweeping legislation reined in claimants’ attorney fees by creating a fee schedule based on the benefits they secured for their clients. The state Supreme Court, however, declared one year ago that the statutory formu...