Three managed-care companies are expected to go before an administrative law judge next month to fight planned changes in HMO coverage for state employees.
Coventry Health Care of Florida, Florida Health Care Plan and United Health Care of Florida filed challenges last week in the Division of Administrative Hearings. They are fighting a Department of Management Services decision to offer only one HMO in each county to employees in the state group insurance program.
The companies each would lose business, and Florida Health Care Plan would be shut out completely, from the change.
The Department of Management Services, however, says such a change, which would take effect in 2012, will help save money for the insurance program.
A hearing is scheduled Sept. 12, though DMS has raised the possibility of starting the hearing Sept. 6.
An open enrollment period for employees — many of whom will have to change HMOs — is scheduled to start Sept. 26.
