1. Statewide Provider and Health Plan Claim Dispute Resolution: We support participation and accountability in resolution of claim disputes unresolved by the provider and the managed care organization and health insurance identification card transparency for consumers.

SUPPORT

HB 659 by Rep. Abbott: Health Plans

SB 584 by Sen. Harrell: Health Care Services

• Require health plans to participate in the Statewide Provider and Health plan Dispute Resolution Process if a claim is filed, or non-participation results in a default against the plan.
• Sets timeframe for a judgement to be paid once AHCA adopts a ruling by Maximus as a final order (35 days).
• Prohibits health plans from declining to participate in filed claims; provides defaults against health plans for failure to respond; requires health plans to pay providers amounts provided in claim dispute orders under certain circumstance.

IMPORTANT:

FCEP’s top priority this legislative session – HB 659: Health Policy – has been added to the Select Committee on Health Innovation agenda on Tuesday, 1/16/24 at 4 pm. Watch your email inbox for our FCEP Advocacy Alert and take quick action to show support for Transparency for Health Care Enrollees!

2. Transparency in Titles: We support proper and transparent use of the title “Physician”.

SUPPORT

NEW! HB 1295 by Rep. Massullo: Health Care Practitioner Titles and Abbreviations

SB 1112 by Sen. Harrell: Health Care Practitioner Titles and Designations

• The use of specified titles or designations in connection with one’s name constitutes the practice of medicine or the practice of osteopathic medicine; revising grounds for disciplinary action relating to a practitioner’s use of such titles or designations in identifying himself or herself to patients or in advertisements for health care services; requiring certain health care practitioners to prominently display a copy of their license in a conspicuous area of their practice, etc.
• The title “Physician” is essential in the medical field. It signifies a professional who has undergone rigorous training and education to diagnose, treat, and manage illnesses. Physicians play a crucial role in maintaining public health and well-being. Transparency and ethical use of this title are vital to ensure trust and confidence in healthcare providers.

3. Ban Co-pay Accumulator Programs: We support taking steps to protect patients from the negative effects of copay accumulator programs.

SUPPORT

HB 363 by Rep. Cross: Health Insurance Cost Sharing

SB 228 by Sen. Wright: Health Insurance Cost Sharing

• These programs are a new form if surprise billing, or surprise lack of coverage, that do not count copay assistance towards a patient’s out-of-pocket cost or deductible.
• Costs often come as a surprise because many patients who have been provided with co-pay charitable assistance are unaware of these new insurance company programs.
• When co-pay assistance is excluded as an out-of-pocket expense, patient costs skyrocket and necessary medical therapies are no longer accessible at a reasonable rate.
• Requires any payments made by, or on behalf of a patient, to be counted towards their deductible or other cost-sharing obligations.

4. Personal Injury Protection: If PIP must be repealed, make sure reimbursement of emergency care is timely and protected like it currently is.

OPPOSE

HB 653 by Rep. Alvarez: Motor Vehicle Insurance

SB 464 by Sen. Grall/Rouson: Motor Vehicle Insurance

Repeals provisions, relating to application of Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law.

Replacing Florida’s PIP system with a BI system could:

• Create a real battle of “who pays?” between insurers.
• Drive the cost of coverage up by 5.3%, or $67/year, for certain drivers.
• Cost shift $470 M towards private health insurers (which would get passed to consumers through higher health insurance premiums).
• Lead to even more personal injury auto claims from the end of “no fault” law.

PIP’s biggest asset is that it assures prompt payment to emergency physicians who provided mandatory care for injured motorists and especially uninsured motorists. If PIP must be repealed, we would support it under the following conditions:

• The $5,000 physician set aside language, key to assuring liens do not give hospitals priority access to Medical Payment funds. This language is included in this year’s bills.

NOTE:

Drivers should “opt out” in writing from the purchase of Medical Payments coverage. The language in this year’s bills is weaker, requiring a mandatory “offering” for the purchase of medical payments insurance coverage.

• HB 783 by Rep. Berfield/SB 794 by Sen Harrell: Medicaid Managed Care Plan Performance Metrics

Requires Medicaid managed care plans to submit each month certain performance metrics to AHCA; requires agency to develop & display public dashboard with certain information; requires agency to update information each month; requires agency to publish quarterly report.

• HB 639 by Rep. Yeager/SB 568 by Sen. Hooper: Coverage for Out-of-network Ground Ambulance Emergency Services

Requires health insurers & health maintenance organizations to reimburse out-of-network ambulance service providers at specified rates for providing emergency services.

• HB 493 by Rep. Roach/SB 444 by Sen. Collins: Pharmacy

Authorizing registered pharmacy technicians to dispense medicinal drugs under certain circumstances; defining the terms “supervising pharmacy” and “telepharmacy”; providing requirements for remote-site pharmacies; exempting registered pharmacists serving as prescription department managers for remote-site pharmacies from certain practice limitations, etc.

• SB 7016 by Health Policy/Sen. Burton: Health Care

Would allocate a total of $796.7 million for health care workforce training and deregulation to increase employment mobility.

• NEW! HB 1501 by Rep. Gonzalez-Pittman/SB 7018 by Sen. Harrell: Health Care Innovation

Creates the Health Care Innovation Council within DOH for specified purpose with requirement for annual reports to Governor and Legislature; requires the department to administer a rolling loan program for applicants seeking to implement certain health care innovations in this state; and would authorize the department to contract with a third party to administer the program, including loan servicing, and manage the revolving loan fund, etc. 

• Limit Scope of Practice Expansion: We believe in physician-led care teams in all aspects of healthcare.

Patients deserve care led by physicians—the most highly educated, trained and skilled health care professionals. Supporting physician-led care and opposing attempts by nonphysicians to inappropriately expand their scope of practice emphasizes patient safety and safeguards the practice of medicine.



1. Attend EM Days 2024

Join us for the premier advocacy event of the year

2. Donate to our Political Action Campaign

Help us prepare for the 2024 legislative season

FCEP's two political action committees (PACs)—Physicians for Emergency Care and Emergency Care for Florida—make up the largest and most influential emergency physician lobby in the state.

Even if you are unable to attend this EM Days 2024 in person, please consider donating to our Political Action Campaign. Every dollar counts in the fight for pro-emergency care legislation.

3. Respond to FCEP Advocacy Alerts

We need your help increasing legislator awareness surrounding issues with impact to emergency medicine. Our Voter Voice platform makes it quick and easy to compose a message to your legislators. Watch you email inbox for our next alert!

To aid in our advocacy efforts this year we are taking the opportunity to highlight the vital role of the ED, and critical issues such as EMTLA and Prudent Layperson.

Florida College of Emergency Physicians

A Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians

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