Florida Insurance Council - Covering Florida Since 1962
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel On April 18, 2017, the Florida Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association (FLAHIGA) bill, HB 307, was heard on the House floor. It should be voted on April 20th. The Senate bill is identical to the House bill and has one committee left. The bill:• Increases the FLAHIGA…
By: Sam Miller, FIC Consultant The Florida Senate approved unanimously April 19 a package health insurers believe will allow physicians to override step therapy drug protocols at almost any time and also weaken prior authorization, both key tools in health care cost containment. The package (CS/SB 530) goes to the House, where a more limited…
By: Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel The House Commerce Committee approved HB 1191, the medication synchronization bill, on April 19, 2017 with one amendment. The bill has now cleared all its committees and will be heard on the House floor when set by the Rules Committee. The Senate companion bill, SB 800, will be heard…
By: Sam Miller, FIC Consultant SB 888 Prescription Drug Price Transparency — by Bean Legislation expanding MyFloridaRx, the state Internet site allowing consumers to compare prices for prescription drugs, was approved by the Senate Health & Human Services Appropriations Committee April 18. It now goes to the Appropriations Committee and, after that, probably the full…
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…