Bills that are moving…
HB 461/SB 1022, Health Flex Plans; Revises eligibility for enrollment in a health flex plan. Extends the expiration date of the health flex plan program to July 1, 2013, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2008. – This bill only extends Health Flex and raises eligibility from 200 percent to 300 percent of poverty level. This bill is in position to pass the Legislature.
HB 405/SB 1012, Gaetz; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Baker; Fasano; Posey; Oelrich; Bennett; Ring; Lynn (Compare H 0405) Health Insurance Claims Payments [EPCC]; Authorizes the payment of health insurance policy benefits directly to a licensed ambulance provider. Provides requirements for the rent, lease, or granting of access to the health care services of a preferred provider or exclusive provider under a health care contract. Decreases the amount of time in which a HMO may make a claim for overpayment against a provider, etc. – This bill has been substantially amended but is still heavily opposed by the carriers and business community.
SB 2534, Peaden; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Gaetz (Compare H 0461, S 0204, S 1022, S 2704) Health Insurance [EPCC]; Revises the eligibility requirements for participation in the Medikids program or the Florida Healthy Kids program. Creates the Cover Florida Health Care Access Program. Requires the development of guidelines to meet minimum standards for quality care and access to care. Requires insurance policies that provide dependent coverage to provide the policyholder with the option of insuring a child until the age of 30 under certain circumstances, etc. – This is the Governor’s Health Care Proposal. House still has no filed legislation.
Bills that are moving but not necessarily passing...
HB 19/SB164, GENERAL BILL/CS by Health Policy; Crist; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Saunders (Compare H 0019, S 1290) Mental/Nervous/Substance Disorders/Insurance [EPCC]; Revises the requirements for optional coverage for mental and nervous disorders. Prohibits the durational limits, dollar amounts, deductibles, or coinsurance factors for certain specified illnesses or conditions from being less favorable than those for physical illness. Repeals a specified provision relating to optional coverage for substance abuse impaired persons, etc. – This is the mental health parity bill which is moving in both the House and Senate but not expected to pass.
HB 1291/SB 2654, Geller; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Ring; Bennett; Deutch; Villalobos; Rich; Fasano; Garcia; Wise; Atwater; Margolis (Compare H 1291) Autism Spectrum Disorder [EPCC]; Cites this act as the "Window of Opportunity Act." Requires health insurance plans to provide coverage for screening, diagnosis, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder in certain children. Prohibits an insurer from denying or refusing coverage or refusing to renew or reissue or terminate coverage based on a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, etc. – This mandate has movement in the House and Senate but not expected to pass.
