LobbyTools Alert
February 16, 2010
Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw on Tuesday outlined to members of the House Democratic Caucus a trio of issues that he's concerned with but not all the questions Shaw fielded following his brief presentation were friendly. Shaw said he would like to pursue legislation this year that would require hospital-based providers -- such as anesthesiologists -- to accept contracted rates if they work in hospitals that have contracts with insurance companies.
Rep. Kelly Skidmore, a Democrat from Boca Raton, expressed concerns that doctors would be forced to accept rates that large hospital systems agree to. Whereas hospitals can cost shift to make up for inadequate rates, physicians cannot, she said, adding that the requirement could hurt doctors. While Shaw acknowledged Skidmore's concerns he said his job is to "be the voice for consumers on a range of issue." Shaw, who was appointed insurance consumer advocate by Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink -- a Democrat -- said there are insured patients who are billed $20,000 for services like anesthesia, which is required for surgery. "It's a balance and if we can figure out a way to get there in the middle I'd love it," he said.
Shaw also expressed concerns with HB 447, the rate deregulation bill, and again faced some criticism from some Democratic caucus members, including Rep. Janet Long, D-Seminole, who said so long as it remained optional there is no harm in deregulating rates.