MEDICARE HMO ORDERED INTO REHABILITATION
 
A circuit court judge ordered DoctorCare, Inc., a Medicare HMO operating in Miami, into receivership for purposes of rehabilitation and has named the Department of Financial Services as receiver.  The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which regulates Medicare HMOs, has a plan to transition nearly 5,700 of DoctorCare’s enrollees into other HMOs with no break in coverage or care. 
 
Under the receivership plan, DoctorCare’s enrollees will have the option to secure new coverage through the HMO they will be transitioned to or pursue coverage with an alternate one by March 31, 2007.    CMS has worked with the following HMOs to assist enrollees: WellCare of Florida Inc. and Preferred Care Partners Inc.
 
“This plan protects our seniors by ensuring uninterrupted access to health care services and Medicare drug benefit coverage,” said Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher.
 
Leon County Circuit Court Judge Terry P. Lewis ordered DoctorCare into receivership because the HMO has become insolvent and appointed the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) as receiver.  As receiver, DFS will eventually liquidate all assets once the company is ordered liquidated to pay outstanding claims. 
 
CMS will be responsible for monitoring the plan to transition enrollees into other Medicare Advantage plans serving Miami-Dade County.  CMS will also oversee continuation of care and answer questions, including coverage options available through a special election period that begins immediately and will continue through March 31, 2007.
 
Current enrollees in DoctorCare who have questions or concerns should contact CMS at 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227), TTY toll-free 877-486-2048, or log on to www.medicare.gov.
 
View the receivership order at:
http://www.MyFloridaCFO.com/Receiver/company_pdf/DoctorCare_Rehab_Order.pdf