HB 1103 – Relating to Electronic Prescribing

On Thursday, January 30, HB 1103 by Representative Amber Mariano was heard by the House Health & Human Services Committee and was reported favorable with 10 yeas and 4 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

Electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) is a method by which an authorized health care practitioner electronically transmits a prescription to a pharmacy using a secure software system. Efforts have been made by states, as well as the federal government, to increase the use of e-prescribing software. For example, Congress passed legislation mandating e-prescribing for certain medicinal drugs under the Medicare Part D program and several states enacted mandatory e-prescribing laws.

Beginning July 1, 2021, the bill requires prescribers to generate and transmit all prescriptions electronically, except when electronic prescribing is unavailable due to a temporary electrical or technological failure. In such instances, written prescriptions may be used which must meet the requirements of current law.

Additionally, the bill relocates language to one section of law (s. 456.42, F.S.) to improve readability and provide clarification related to the 2019 passage of e-prescribing legislation.

HB 1103 will now go to the Senate for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that provides for improved prescription accuracy, increased patient safety, reduced opportunities for fraud and abuse and reduced overall costs.  Improving the overall functionality and cost will further enable Florida employers to provide health care coverage for our citizens.