The Florida Regular Legislative Session began on January 9, 2024, and ended on March 8, 2024. Below is a summary of relevant health care laws that will be effective July 1, 2024, if they are approved by Governor DeSantis.
Coverage for Biomarker Testing
Bill HB 885 requires the Department of Management Services (DMS) to provide coverage of biomarker testing for specified purposes for state employees’ state group health insurance plan policies; authorizes AHCA to pay for biomarker testing under the Medicaid program for specified purposes, subject to specific appropriations; requires managed care plans under contract with agency in Medicaid program to provide coverage for biomarker testing for Medicaid recipients in certain manner; specifies circumstances under which such coverage may be provided; and requires clear, convenient, and readily accessible process for authorization requests for biomarker testing.
Emergency Refills of Insulin and Insulin-related Supplies or Equipment
Bill HB 201 authorizes emergency refill of insulin & insulin-related supplies or equipment a specified number of times per year.
HIV Infection Prevention Drugs
Bill HB 159 authorizes licensed pharmacists to screen for HIV exposure and order and dispense HIV infection prevention drugs in accordance with written supervisory protocol.
Home Health Care Services
Bill SB 935 authorizes advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to order or write prescriptions for Medicaid home health services.
Coverage for Skin Cancer Screenings
Bill HB 241 requires DMS to require contracted state group health insurance plans to provide coverage and payment for annual skin cancer screenings performed by specified persons without imposing any cost-sharing requirement; also specifies requirement for & restriction on payments for such screenings.
Congenital Cytomegalovirus Screenings
Bill SB 168 requires certain hospitals to administer congenital cytomegalovirus screenings on newborns admitted to the hospital under specified circumstances; provides coverage under the Medicaid program for the screenings and any medically necessary follow-up reevaluations; requires that newborns diagnosed with congenital cytomegalovirus be referred to a primary care physician for medical management, treatment, and follow-up services, etc.
Department of Health
Bill SB 1582 exempts environmental health technicians from certain certification requirements under certain circumstances; provides that any health care practitioner present at birth or responsible for primary care during the neonatal period has the primary responsibility of administering certain screenings; revises hearing loss screening requirements to include infants and toddlers; requiring the department to grant certain applicants 90 days to cure deficiencies with their medical marijuana treatment center license applications pursuant to a specified errors and omissions process, etc.
Health Care Innovation
Bill SB 7018 creates the Health Care Innovation Council within the Department of Health for a specified purpose; requires the council to submit annual reports to the Governor and the Legislature; requires the department to administer a revolving loan program for applicants seeking to implement certain health care innovations in this state; authorizes the department to contract with a third party to administer the program, including loan servicing, and manage the revolving loan fund, etc.
Rural Emergency Hospitals
Bill SB 644 subjects rural emergency hospitals to certain requirements for the provision of emergency services and care; defines the terms “rural emergency hospital” and “rural emergency services”; authorizes qualifying hospitals to apply to the Agency for Health Care Administration for designation as a rural emergency hospital, etc.
Background Screenings and Certifications
Bill HB 975 provides qualifications for person seeking certification as person with lived experience; requires continuum of care lead agencies to submit certain information to DCF for purposes of background screening; expands certain background screening requirements to apply to all health care practitioners licensed by the Department of Health as a requirement for initial licensure. Current law requires only specified health care professions to undergo background screening as a requirement for initial licensure, including: allopathic and osteopathic physicians, interns, and fellows; physician assistants; chiropractic physicians and chiropractic physician assistants; orthotists and prosthetists; podiatric physicians and podiatric x-ray assistants; certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses; athletic trainers; and massage therapists. This bill requires health care professionals licensed prior to July 1, 2024, to comply with the background screening requirement as part of their next licensure renewal.
Dental Services
Bill HB 855 requires every dentist to provide each patient with the dentist’s name, contact telephone number, after-hours contact information for emergencies, and license information; failure to do so constitutes grounds for discipline. This bill also revises existing standards for the practice of dentistry and establishes new requirements that specifically apply to providers using telehealth to provide dental services to patients. The bill requires any partnership, corporation, or other business entity that advertises dental services to designate a dentist of record with the Board of Dentistry. The bill also requires advertisements for certain dental services provided through telehealth to include a disclaimer.
