The state plans on auditing five more hospitals in the area.
It all happens under the governor’s investigation of contracts between hospitals and insurance companies that cover Medicaid recipients.
The Herald-Tribune has identified the local hospitals as Englewood Community, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Blake Medical, Fawcett Memorial in Port Charlotte, and Bayfront Health Port Charlotte.
In a letter to the attorney general, the governor says 129 hospitals now face audits relating to Medicaid managed-care contracts.
This expanded review from 31 comes as insurance companies providing Medicaid coverage want a 12-percent raise for next year to help deal with rising prescription drug costs.