HB 23 – Relating to Telehealth

On Monday, March 18, CS/HB 23 by Representative Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) was heard in the House Ways and Means Committee and was reported favorably with 14 yeas and 3 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this legislation.

Telehealth is the remote delivery of health care services using technology. This bill authorizes Florida licensed health care professionals to use telehealth, simultaneous audio and video, to deliver health care services within their scopes of practice. The bill also authorizes out-of-state health care professionals to use telehealth to deliver health care services to Florida patients if they register with the Department of Health or the applicable board, meet certain eligibility requirements, and pay a fee. While an out of state registered provider may use telehealth to provide health care services to Florida patients, they are prohibited from opening an office or providing in person services in Florida. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, the bill creates a tax credit for health insurers and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that cover services provided by telehealth.

HB 23 will now move to the House Health & Human Services Committee.

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

HB 559 – Relating to Step Therapy Protocols

On Tuesday, March 19, HB 559 by Representative Ralph Massullo, Jr. (R-Beverly Hills) was heard before the House Health Market Reform Subcommittee and was reported favorably with 14 yeas and 0 nays. AIF supports the adopted amendment on the underlying bill and stood in support of this legislation.

Insurers and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) use many cost management strategies to manage drug spending. For example, step therapy is when a health insurance plan requires an individual to try a preferred drug before using a nonpreferred drug.
This bill states that a health insurer may not impose a step-therapy protocol for a covered prescription drug if:

• The insured has been approved to receive the prescription drug through a step-therapy protocol imposed by a health insurer that previously issued major medical coverage to the insured; and,
• The insured is currently taking the drug and is documented by the health insurer that approved the drug. 

This does not preclude an insureds new health insurer from imposing a prior authorization requirement for the continued coverage of a drug prescribed and a health insurer is not required to add a drug to its prescription drug formulary, or to cover a prescription drug's use if it is not currently covered.

This bill also requires health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers to establish and offer an online prior authorization process for step therapy exceptions.

HB 559 will now move to the House Appropriations Committee.

AIF supports an online prior authorization form for continued flexibility for health plans to ensure consumers receive high quality, high value and affordable care, through continued use of innovative plan designs.