County wins appeal filed by the West Volusia Hospital Authority; WVHA must pay

Posted On: June 27, 2023

Today, Volusia County Government prevailed against the West Volusia Hospital Authority (WVHA) in WVHA’s appeal to the Fifth District Court Appeal to avoid paying its share of Medicaid costs. The dispute results from the WVHA’s refusal to pay nearly $2.5 million for its cost share for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, as determined by the Volusia County Council. WVHA has been and continues to collect taxes from its residents. The trial court ruled in favor of the County in June 2022, which WVHA then appealed.

Medicaid provides health coverage to low-income residents. All three districts (WVHA, Halifax Hospital Medical Center and the Southeast Volusia Hospital District) have residents on Medicaid and health care providers who treat patients on Medicaid. The federal government charges the state for Medicaid costs, which are then divided among Florida’s 67 counties. 

In counties where hospital districts exist, state law provides that costs may be divided among them. In Volusia County, Medicaid costs are divided among the three hospital districts and the County, which have worked together for decades to ensure that the division remains equitable.

WVHA also refused to pay its Medicaid cost share for fiscal year 2022-2023, and the County was forced to file a lawsuit to collect another $2,543,978.03. 

County officials hope the Fifth District’s decision will resolve this matter for good.   

“The County’s taxpayers have had to unfairly cover West Volusia Hospital Authority’s bills to fund a program for our neediest residents,” stated Volusia County Attorney Mike Dyer. “It is time for the West Volusia Hospital Authority to meet its obligations.”

A copy of the decision may be found here.