Brevard County commissioners will vote today on which insurance company will provide health insurance to their employees. The vote is generating a public fight between competing hospitals.
In Brevard County, Health First dominates: They own the largest hospital system, physicians and outpatient center. They also own the for-profit insurance company Health First Health Plans.
County officials are voting on who will provide insurance to their 8,700 employees and family members.
A committee recommended Brevard County pick a combination of Cigna and Health First Health Plans for the $56 million contract. Parrish Medical Center competes with Health First hospitals, and its CEO thinks going with Health First is a mistake.
George Mikitarian wrote a letter to county commissioners, pointing to ongoing antitrust lawsuits against Health First.
“All they do is push you to a Health First facility,” Mikitarian said in an interview. “And all of their facilities are far more expensive than other facilities in the community.”
Matthew Gerrell is vice president of marketing for Health First.vHe says the letter has been a distraction.
“The committee’s recommendation is the right one,” Gerrell said. “Mr. Mikitarian obviously has a differing opinion to the committee, but we believe the committee made the right choice.”
County officials vote today on the contract. Check here to download Mikitarian’s full letter, and check here to download Health First’s response.
Abe Aboraya is a reporter with WMFE in Orlando. WMFE is a part of Health News Florida, which receives support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
