Hidden charges? Patients often face massive bills when Florida hospitals don’t provide costs upfront
For Floridians, knowing how much a procedure costs before getting hit with a humongous hospital bill can be the difference in whether someone struggles for years with medical debt. Now, Florida’s attorney general announced he is launching an investigation to ensure hospitals provide patients with transparent pricing for medical services. Florida hospitals are supposed to make it easy for patients to know costs upfront and compare prices. However, it is not happening in the way federal and state laws require. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
How celebrity deepfakes supercharged a Florida health care hustle
If you were poor and online last year, the ads were inescapable: flashing images of cash and Amazon boxes, narrated by AI-faked celebrities such as Taylor Swift, podcaster Joe Rogan or game-show host Steve Harvey. Each described a secrettive government program that handed out money -- all you had to do was ask. The ads were deceptive, but they weren't trying to con people out of their money -- at least not directly. [Source: Bloomberg]
Many Florida kids face barriers to dental care. Will a fluoride ban heighten their risk of harm?
For decades, kids who haven’t had access to regular dental care had at least one line of defense against cavities: drinking water with fluoride in it. But a new state law bans communities from adding the mineral to water supplies. Some dentists warn the ban, which takes effect July 1, will take away an important tool that kids in poor and rural areas depend on to prevent tooth decay. [Source: WUSF]
A hospice chaplain in Florida provides comfort in life's final moments
Vishisho Awomi, known to her patients as Chaplain Avika, works with patients with life expectancies six months or less. While reaching the end of their lives, Avika provides a wide range of support to patients and their families. She doesn’t just focus on her patient’s imminent deaths, but on providing comfort for them as they near life’s final moments. As a clinical chaplain in hospice care, Avika often faces hesitancy from patients and families due to misconceptions about her profession. Those unfamiliar with her role may think she serves only one faith, but Avika rejects that notion with an emphasis on spiritual support for all. [Source: Central Florida Public Media]
Families of kids with autism hail new Florida law that increases early detection, intervention
The new law expands free screening and early detection opportunities. It also directs the state Department of Health to apply for federal approval to extend eligibility for services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. That means children with developmental delays or disabilities would be able to continue receiving early intervention services through the Early Steps Program until the child turns 4. [Source: Health News Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› BayCare aligns with Northwestern and its renowned medical school
BayCare has signed a deal with Northwestern Medicine, a collaboration that officials say is a critical step in the nonprofit’s bid to expand its academic health system Northwestern is a nationally renowned academic health system through its partnership with the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Its deal with BayCare will provide more access to advanced medical treatments, expand clinical research and improve training and education for current and future physicians in the Tampa Bay region.
› After decimal error cost Florida $5M in COVID vendor deal, company agrees to repay state
A South Florida health care company that was overpaid millions by the state for a COVID-related contract is going to pay the state back. Trinity Health Care Services, which was contracted by the state to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations, recently settled a lawsuit filed against it by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, court records show. Trinity agreed to pay the agency $5,624,659.43 over the next several years. But it's going to do so in installments.
› Multiple efforts are ongoing to address Tallahassee's nursing shortage
The health care industry makes up a big part of Tallahassee's economy. But the city is still facing the same nursing shortage plaguing much of the state.
The latest U.S. Census data reports health care is the third largest industry in Tallahassee, behind only educational services and public administration. As of 2023, the latest year for which numbers were available, just under 14 percent of the city's workforce - more than 14,000 people - were in medical and related fields.
That's a lot of people. But Stephanie Solomon, director of nursing at Tallahassee State College's Ghazvini Center, says there just aren't enough nurses.
› New CEO to lead expansion of Sarasota health tech company
A Sarasota company specializing in remote cardiac monitoring and data management has named a new leader as it plans for growth. PaceMate appointed JR Finkelmeier the CEO as the business aims for “significant commercial expansion,” according to a statement.
Finkelmeier has been the chief commercial officer for PaceMate since 2024, following years leading the ambulatory monitoring division for Philips, a segment that cost hundreds of millions of dollars.