FloridaLake County limits payments for inmate medical care
The act sets payment limits for outside medical providers, trauma hospitals, and emergency transport services serving inmates in Lake County detention centers.
What it does
Most medical providers without a Lake County inmate-care contract may receive no more than 110 percent of the Medicare rate. Providers reporting a previous-year operating loss may receive up to 125 percent.
A noncontracted trauma-center hospital must receive 175 percent of the Medicare rate when treating an inmate who is a trauma-alert victim.
Noncontracted emergency transport providers may receive no more than 110 percent of the Medicare rate for transporting inmates. County-operated hospitals are excluded.
Argument forPayment limits could make the county's costs for outside inmate medical and transportation services more predictable.
Argument againstHigher allowed rates for trauma care and providers with operating losses could increase Lake County's payments for some inmate services.
More detail
Lake County limits payment to most noncontracted health care providers for medical services provided to inmates. The limit covers licensed hospitals, physicians, physician assistants, podiatrists, health maintenance organizations, ambulatory surgery centers, certain outpatient facilities, and related professional associations. Payment may not exceed 110 percent of the Medicare allowable rate. Payment may reach 125 percent if the provider reported a negative operating margin for the previous year through hospital-audited financial data. The provider must not have a contract with Lake County to provide inmate medical services. The act takes effect when it becomes law.
Lake County pays a noncontracted trauma-center hospital 175 percent of the Medicare allowable rate for covered inmate trauma care. The rule covers a hospital designated as a trauma center that treats an inmate identified as a trauma-alert victim. The hospital must not have a contract with Lake County to provide inmate medical services. The act takes effect when it becomes law.
Lake County limits payment to noncontracted emergency medical transportation providers serving inmates. The rule covers air ambulances and privately or publicly owned vehicles or vessels used to transport sick or injured inmates who need or may need medical attention during transport. Payment may not exceed 110 percent of the Medicare allowable rate. The entity must not have a contract with Lake County to provide inmate emergency medical transportation services. The act does not apply to medical services provided at a hospital operated by Lake County. The act takes effect when it becomes law.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Chapter No. 2026-194Latest
- Apr 14Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Mar 31Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11Passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 9Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
- Feb 18ReceivedMinor
- Feb 12Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 12In Messages
- Feb 11Passed; YEAS 112, NAYS 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 11Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 5Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
- Jan 27Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 27Bill released to House Calendar
- Jan 27Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Jan 27Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 23Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Jan 14Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Criminal Justice Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 14Reported out of Criminal Justice Subcommittee
- Jan 14Favorable by Criminal Justice SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 12Added to Criminal Justice Subcommittee agenda
- 2025
- Dec 11Now in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Dec 11Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Dec 11Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Dec 4Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Nov 24Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Nov 24Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Nov 24Referred to Criminal Justice SubcommitteeMinor
- Nov 24Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Nov 17FiledIntroduced
- Dec 11Now in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
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