Universal Health plans in Fla. to be liquidated

60,000 Fla. Medicaid recipients transferring to new health plans as Universal liquidates

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- State health officials say nearly 60,000 Medicaid members will be transferred to new health plans as two Universal Health companies are about to be liquidated.

A Leon County Judge ordered Universal Health Care Insurance Company into receivership on Friday. That company and sister company Universal Health Care Inc. will go into liquidation in April.

Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Liz Dudek says she is making every effort to ensure that patients will still be able to see their same primary care doctor under the new plans.

She said Medicaid recipients on Universal plans should receive a letter in the mail next week explaining the process and their options.

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said the companies also cover health polices for nearly 80,000 Florida Medicare recipients.