Florida hospitals face new Medicare rules that change surgical care
A sweeping change to how Florida hospitals treat and bill for major surgeries is set to take effect in January, and experts say it could reshape the patient experience from the operating room to post-surgery rehab. The federal government’s new TEAM model, short for Transforming Episode Accountability Model, is a mandatory Medicare payment program that will impact 37 hospitals across Florida. Hospitals that deliver high-quality, efficient care could earn up to 20 percent in bonus payments. Those with complications, delays, or unnecessary costs may face financial penalties. [Source: WFLA]
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Innovator: Dr. Michael S. Okun
Dr. Okun is the Executive Director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at University of Florida Health. Okun arrived at UF from Atlanta’s Emory University in 2002 and co-founded UF’s movement disorders program. In 2011, the school opened its Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration on a floor of the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine building before forming the Fixel Institute in 2019. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida Medicaid enrollment continues to decline
Florida Medicaid enrollment continues to drop, information posted by the state Agency for Health Care Administration shows. There were 4,155,487 Florida residents enrolled in the program as of May 30, the latest available data. That’s 68,110 fewer people since December 2024 and 643,662 fewer people than in January 2024. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
Electronic health pre-approvals in Florida promise quicker care
Health insurance companies are set to streamline, simplify and reduce the pre-approval process by transitioning to an electronic prior authorization system. This change is intended to replace the traditional, paperwork-heavy method with a more efficient electronic system. Several major insurance companies are committing to this change, including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Elevance Health, Kaiser Permanente, and various Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. [Source: WINK News]
‘Life just changed.’ How Florida doctors use tech to treat cancer and sickle cell
Technology is fueling the future of health in Florida. Lots of innovation is happening in the region. Medical students are using simulators to train. AI is targeting Alzheimer’s, cancer and other health conditions. Some of the emerging tech is already making a difference in patient care and is changing how doctors treat cancer, strokes and genetic conditions like sickle cell disease. It’s also helping boost quality of life for patients. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› How the University of Miami Health System is using AI
Dr. Dipen J. Parekh, the new CEO of the University of Miami Health System, says the organization is looking at ways to use AI to help clinicians do their job better and with fewer hassles. UHealth is also incorporating AI in a host of ways to improve patient care, he says. Parekh just became CEO earlier this month after serving as chief operating officer of the academic health system.
› Florida contractor cuts nursing care for 100 medically fragile children
As it bids for a new state contract, Sunshine Health has cut longstanding at-home nursing services from almost 100 disabled children across Florida, according to nursing agencies. Some families were told they will get fewer hours while others have been informed their child no longer qualifies for at-home nursing. In some cases, the denial goes against the medical advice of pediatricians and specialists.
› Volunteers in Medicine relocating West Jacksonville clinic
Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville announced June 23 it will relocate its West Jacksonville clinic on Oct. 1. The clinic will move to the Community Health Outreach campus. The nonprofit’s South San Marco Dorion-Burt Clinic at 3728 Philips Highway, Suite 34, will remain in operation. Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville provides medical services to the uninsured and underserved.
› Orlando Health names McLaughlin as chief medical officer for East Florida Region
Orlando Health recently named Dr. Michael McLaughlin as chief medical officer for the Orlando Health East Florida Region. McLaughlin will work closely with teams at Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital and Orlando Health Sebastian River Hospital, as well as physician practices throughout Brevard and Indian River counties. Also, as chief medical officer, he will provide leadership, collaboration and coaching to the medical staff throughout the Orlando Health East Region.