To make up for the loss of federal funds there would be deep Medicaid service and eligibility cuts, as well as reduced provider payment rates.

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Florida’s Medicaid- provider payment rate, which is 56 percent of Medicare rates, is one of the seven lowest rates in the nation. The national average is 66 percent.[i]

 

A further reduction in Medicaid funding could lead to even lower reimbursement levels, leading providers who remain in the program to further restrict the number of Medicaid patients they serve.

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Funds Per Enrollee

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Florida is further disadvantaged by its low annual spending per enrollee relative to other states. Under the AHCA and BCRA, Florida would have been permanently locked into substantially less federal Medicaid funding relative to other states.

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Florida Medicaid spending compares with the national average as follows:[i]

• Children with disabilities: $13,373 in Florida vs. $16,758 nationally.

• Non-elderly adults: $15,584 in Florida vs. $18,912 nationally.

• Seniors: $14,253 in Florida vs. $17,522 nationally.

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(Not So) Optional Services

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Large federal cuts and cost-shifting to states will likely force Florida to consider deep cuts to the Medicaid programs, including eliminating optional services. 

 

With capped federal Medicaid funding as proposed under the BCRA and AHCA, the state would have likely targeted optional Medicaid coverage groups and services for cuts.

 

This could mean Floridians losing their Medicaid eligibility and access to health care services. For others who maintain eligibility, cuts could mean losing services vital to maintaining their health and independence.