Hemophiliac patients participating in the Medicaid program could have more options for treatment in Florida this year.
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration wants the federal government to allow three companies to provide care for patients with the rare blood-clotting disorder.
While hemophilia is rare, treating it is expensive: an average of more than $130,000 a year for each patient. There are just 183 patients on Medicaid with hemophilia, but treatments for those 183 patients cost $24 million.
Florida wants the federal government to allow three vendors. That way, the state says it will be able to get the highest quality, lowest-cost vendor.
Joseph Burke is a 36-year-old hemophiliac living in Clermont. He said companies often try to get him on new treatments.
“It’s crazy just how they try to woo you in and get you on their product,” Burke said. “Once they have you in, it’s kinda like they got the golden ticket.”
Burke said his drugs cost roughly $30,000 per month.
AHCA is asking residents for input about their request at meetings today in Tallahassee and Thursday in Tampa.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive Building 3, Conference Room, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Conference Line: 1-888-670-3525; Participant Code: 371 527 4100#
Thursday, January 21, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Agency for Health Care Administration
6800 North Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 220, Main Training Room, Tampa, FL 33614
Conference Line: 1-877-299-4502; Participant Code: 639 773 84#
Abe Aboraya is a reporter for WMFE in Orlando. WMFE is a partner with Health News Florida, which receives support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
