Florida House passes bill targeting healthcare fraud

In an effort to crack down on healthcare fraud, the Florida House on unanimously passed tighter licensing rules for certain health service providers to reduce the number who fleece Medicare and Medicaid, then flee the United States. The proposal designates Miami-Dade as a "healthcare fraud area of special concern" and would require an applicant to be a resident of the United States for at least five years to be licensed to operate a home health agency, medical equipment provider or a health clinic, unless the applicant files a bond of at least $500,000.