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Defying predictions, ObamaCare insurers see boom times ahead

Defying predictions, ObamaCare insurers see boom times ahead

Health insurers are finding success in ObamaCare this year and are planning to expand their offerings in many states, defying expert’s predictions. Insurance startup Oscar Health filed to sell ObamaCare plans in Florida for the first time. [Source: The Hill]

See also:
» South Florida's 3 Obamacare providers file proposals to return in 2019

State continues records battle with nursing home

After being ordered to quickly turn over copies of thousands of death certificates from across the state, the Florida Department of Health has gone to an appeals court in a months-long records battle with a Broward County nursing home where residents died after Hurricane Irma. [Source: WUSF]

Florida teen first human case of another mosquito-borne virus

The first confirmed human case of Keystone virus has been diagnosed in a Florida teen, but it's likely that infection with the mosquito-borne disease is common among state residents, researchers report. The virus can cause a rash and mild fever. It's named after the location in the Tampa Bay area where it was first identified in 1964. More from HealthdayNPR, and  CBS-12.

Related:
» During National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, the Florida Department of Health reminds residents and visitors to "drain and cover."

Audit finds problems with state purchasing cards

The state auditor general found that between March 2016 and January 2017, the Florida Department of Health failed to timely cancel so-called state purchasing cards for 119 former employees who worked at the agency or at county health departments. [Source: Health News Florida]

Florida Hospital building state-of-the-art command center

In an effort to run more efficiently, reduce patient wait times and improve quality of care, Florida Hospital is building a 10,000-square-foot mission control center for its nine hospitals in Central Florida. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Medicaid contracts challenged in Southwest Florida
Attorneys for Best Care Assurance, a managed care plan affiliated with Lee Memorial Health System, notified the state that they plan to challenge a decision last week to award a Medicaid contract to Molina Healthcare of Florida in a seven-county region of Southwest Florida.

› Alachua County increasing awareness on national HIV testing day
Increasing awareness of the importance of getting tested for HIV will again be the focus of National HIV Testing Day, which will be observed nationwide on Wednesday. On Wednesday and Friday this week, several testing events have been planned in Alachua County.

› Judge rules for Health First in cancer treatment privileges at Parrish
A U.S. District Court Judge in Orlando has ruled that Health First oncologists may continue — at least for now — to provide cancer care at Parrish Medical Center. The judge's order is good for 60 days and in that time further hearings between Health First physicians and PMC must occur before something more definitive is put in place.

› Medical manufacturer expected to bring millions in investment to Pasco
Pasco County commissioners approved an incentive package last week to help TouchPoint Medical, Inc. set up its global headquarters and American operations facility at the intersection of State Road 54 and Suncoast Pkwy.