ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday urged the federal government to reject Florida’s request to extend and expand its Medicaid managed care pilot program statewide from five to 67 counties.

“We understand Florida’s budget crunch and the need to rein Medicaid costs. But if the past is prologue, then expanding Florida’s Medicaid managed care pilot program statewide would be a mistake,” stated Douglas Hoey, EVP and CEO. “For those who would dismiss our concerns about Medicaid managed care, consider the independent study from Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. It revealed that Florida’s five-year old pilot program hasn’t produced verifiable costs savings and has caused significant disruptions to beneficiary access and patient-provider relationships.”

To read the NCPA letter addressing Cindy Mann, director Center for Medicaid and State Operations of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, click here.

For a copy of the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute referenced by NCPA, click here.