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The Florida Senate

CS/CS/HB 7087 — Health Care

by Health and Human Services Committee; Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee; Select Committee on Affordable Healthcare Access; and Rep. Sprowls and others (CS/CS/SB 1686 by Appropriations Committee; Health Policy Committee; and Senators Bean and Joyner)

This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.

Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)

The bill authorizes the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the Department of Health (DOH) and the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to survey health care facilities, health care practitioners, insurers, and health maintenance organizations, regarding the use of telehealth. The AHCA must submit a report of the survey and research findings to the presiding officers and the Governor by December 31, 2016. The three entities (AHCA, DOH, and OIR) may assess fines for non-compliance with the survey request.

The bill also creates a 15-member Telehealth Advisory Council. The council will be chaired by the Secretary of the AHCA or his or designee. The other members of the task force include the State Surgeon General; health care practitioners; representatives of long-term care services; a hospital representative; telehealth services providers, sellers, and health insurers; and a representative of health care facilities. The council is tasked with reviewing the survey and research findings and making recommendations to increase the use and accessibility of telehealth in this state in a report due to the presiding officers and the Governor by October 31, 2017. The council members will serve without compensation or per diem reimbursement and may meet by teleconference.

The bill modifies the definition of a “discount medical plan” under s. 636.202, F.S., to clarify that medical services provided through a telecommunications medium that does not offer a discount to the plan member is not insurance.

The bill also reinstates and re-enacts s. 409.975(6), F.S., relating to managed care plan accountability and current law relating to provider payments of managed medical assistance program participants.

The section of law creating the council sunsets June 30, 2018.

If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2016.

Vote: Senate 39-0; House 118-0