HB 217-Relating to Payment of Healthcare Claims

On Wednesday, February 14th, HB 217, by Representative Bill Hager (R-Boca Raton) was heard before the House Appropriation Committee and passed by a vote of 21 yeas to 6 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, spoke in opposition to this bill.

This bill prohibits health insurers and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) from retroactively denying a claim during the relevant grace period, if the insurer or HMO verified the eligibility of an insured or subscriber at the time of treatment and provided an authorization number, regardless of if the insured has paid their premiums prior to that claim rendering them ineligible for coverage.

HB 217 will go on to the House Health and Human Services Committee for its next hearing.

AIF opposes legislation removing insurers ability to retroactively deny claims, even those that have not paid their premiums. This legislation would raise costs on employers who would be required to pay health care expenses of people who are no longer employees, and consumers would bear the burden of paying the high costs of fraud, waste and abuse that would occur in the system.

SB 280-Relating to Telehealth

On Wednesday, February 14th, SB 280 by Senator Aaron Bean (R-Jacksonville) was heard before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services and passed. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this bill.

SB 280 provides specific authorization for the provision of health care services through telehealth. Telehealth is the provision of health care services using telecommunication technologies, which allows licensed practitioners in one location to diagnose and treat patients at a different location. The bill will remove regulatory ambiguity regarding the provision of health care services using this technology because it is not currently addressed in Florida Statutes.

SB 280 will go on to the Senate Committee on Appropriations for its next hearing.

AIF supports legislation that permits an unfettered role for telehealth services that will allow our citizens access to better quality care at lower costs.

SB 1402 - State Assumption of Federal Section 404 Dredge and Fill Permitting Authority

On Wednesday, February 14th, SB 1402 by Senator David Simmons (R-Longwood) was heard before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources and passed by a vote of 6 yeas to 0 nays.  AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This legislation would give authorization to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to assume implementation of the federal dredge and fill permits.

SB 1402 will go on to its next committee stop in the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

AIF supports the state assumption of the 404 program which will help create a more efficient and predictable process for businesses to navigate the wetland permitting process in a timely manner.

SB 462-Relating to Advanced Well Stimulation Treatment

On Wednesday, February 14th, SB 462 by Senator Dana Young (R-Tampa) was heard before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources and passed by a vote of 5 yeas to 0 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in opposition to this bill.

This bill prohibits the performance of advanced well stimulation treatments on oil or gas wells in the state. The bill defines the term “advanced well stimulation treatment” to include all stages of well intervention performed by injecting fluids into a rock formation.

SB 462 will go on to the Senate Committee on Appropriations to be heard.

AIF opposes the prohibition of advanced well stimulation treatments as it could cause a deficit when it comes to meeting the energy needs of the state.