Waving Cautionary Flags: Initial Reactions From Doctors & Patients to Florida's Medicaid Changes

The researchers sought to assess the one-year impact of Florida's Medicaid reform which began in September2006. The researchers conducted focus groups with parents and people with disabilities receiving Medicaid. Physician members of the Duval and Broward county medical associations were surveyed. The key findings: about 25% of physicians that participating in Medicaid prior to the pilot reform program do not intend to participate in pilot plans. Those that remained with Medicaid reported that their overall Medicaid patient load is declining. The researchers said this may indicate that access to providers is worsening in the pilot counties.