fl-medicare-complaints-20110202 
Medicare took steps Wednesday to make it easier for patients to file complaints about unsatisfactory medical care.Already, hospitals must give patients a written notice telling them how to file a complaint with an independent review agency. Under the new proposal, the rule would be expanded to clinics, home health agencies, surgery centers, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, hospices and other providers — all of which would have to give patients the notices. Doctors would not be included.
In Florida, complaints about Medicare service go to Florida Medical Quality Assurance Inc. at http://www.fmqai.com or 800-844-0795. Examples of issues that could be raised include medication errors, unnecessary tests, wrong diagnoses or incorrect medical instructions.
Questions? Contact Marc Dubin, Esq., at mdubin@pobox.com
