Florida Insurance Council - Covering Florida Since 1962
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel The House Appropriations Committee approved the House medical marijuana bill on April 18, 2017. The bill will now be heard on the House floor when set by the Rules Committee. The bill, HB 1397, does not contain any provisions relating to insurance coverage for medical marijuana. On November…
By: Sam Miller, FIC Consultant SB 530 Health Insurance – by Steube A final vote is scheduled in the Florida Senate April 19 on a package (SB 530) allowing doctors to override step therapy drug protocols and revising prior authorization requirements. The bill came up before the full Senate April 18, and received little debate…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel A bill related to the Florida Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association (FLAHIGA or Association) passed its second Senate committee on April 13, 2017. The bill has one committee left. The House companion is identical and has passed all its committees. Specifically, the bill:• Increases the maximum claim…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel SB 530 passed its last Senate committee, Rules, on April 12, 2017. The bill contains provisions relating to health insurance prior authorization and step therapy. The bill will now be heard on the Senate floor when set by Senate leadership. The bill has been a priority of the Florida…
By: Sam Miller, FIC ConsultantSB 182 Consumer Protection from Nonmedical Changes to Prescription Drug Formularies (Mayfield) Health insurance rates could go up because of bills freezing prescription drug formularies during the 12-month contract year, Associated Industries of Florida is warning. Forty doctor and patient advocacy groups still support the measure, which continues to move through…
By: Sam Miller, FIC Consultant SB 1550 Florida Center for Health Information and Technology (Artiles)Amendments Filed 944284 [PDF] DE Artiles A study on a system allowing doctors real time access to all of their patient’s health care records is working through House and Senate committees and, probably headed for the two floors. The Senate…
By: Sam Miller, FIC Consultant CS/SB 800 Medication Synchronization — by BroxsonCS/HB 1191 Medication Synchronization — by Cruz A bill (CS/SB 800) promoting partial refills and synchronization of prescription drugs continues through Senate committees. It was approved April 3 by the Senate Health Policy Committee with no amendments. Approved by Banking & Insurance earlier and…
By: Sam Miller, FIC Consultant SB 406 Compassionate Use of Low-THC Cannabis and Marijuana (Bradley) Medical marijuana treatment center licenses would be increased from the current seven to at least 12, with a system established for additional licenses as the patient count grows, under a bill approved April 3 by the Senate Heath Policy Committee.…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel SB 580 relating to licensing of pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and PBMs updating the MAC pricing information passed its first Senate Committee on April 3, 2017 without amendment. It has two committees left. The bill requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to obtain a certificate of authority (COA) from the…
By: Sam Miller, FIC Consultant The complete staff analysis of the Senate bill is available from this link: Staff analysis The revised Senate bill text is available from this link: CS/SB 530 The complete staff analysis of the House bill is available from this link PDF The revised House bill text is available from this…