SENATE Spotlight SB 1808 - Refund of Overpayments Made by Patients Senator Colleen Burton, R Lakeland CS/SB 1808 requires health care practitioners, facilities, providers, and anyone who accepts payment from insurance for services rendered by health care practitioners, to refund to a patient any overpayment made by the patient no later than 30 days after determining that the patient made an overpayment. Bill Analysis FAVORABLE by Health Policy - 2 remaining committee stops ___________________________________________ SB 1356 - Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases Senator Colleen Burton, R Lakeland The Senate Education Postsecondary Committee on Monday advanced legislation aimed at establishing a newborn genetic screening program at Florida State University's pediatric rare diseases unit. The bill will create a statewide research network to improve the diagnosis and treatment of rare genetic disorders. Bill Analysis Committee members voiced strong support for the bill's focus on early detection and collaboration. The House version of the legislation (HB 907) has also begun moving, clearing the first of four assigned committee stops last week. House bill sponsor Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Palm Harbor, has been an advocate for rare disease research since his son died from the rare fatal genetic condition Tay-Sachs disease at four years old. There are over 7,000 known rare diseases affecting 350 million people worldwide. FAVORABLE by Education - 2 remaining committee stops __________________________________________________ SB 430 - Cardiac Emergencies Senator Corey Simon, R Quincy CS/SB 430 requires school districts to provide basic training in first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), once during middle school in a physical education or health class and once during high school in a physical education or health class. The bill also requires that no later than July 1, 2027, every public school, including charter schools, must have at least one operational automated external defibrillator (AED) on school grounds. Specifically, public schools are required to: Ensure appropriate school staff are trained in first aid, CPR, and AED use. Maintain AEDs according to manufacturer specifications. Publicize and clearly mark AED locations. The bill requires each public school to develop a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) to guide school personnel in responding to sudden cardiac arrest or similar emergencies. Schools must collaborate with local emergency service providers to integrate their CERPs into the community’s emergency response system. The bill provides civil liability immunity to school employees and volunteers under the Good Samaritan Act and the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act. Bill Analysis Members raised questions about the overall costs for schools and the training requirements for staff, while supporters championed combining multiple legislative approaches into one comprehensive plan to address sudden cardiac arrest. Debate focused on ensuring schools have an operational AED and a cardiac emergency response plan that includes liability protections and accessible training. FAVORABLE by Education - 2 remaining committee stops ________________________________________________ SB 734 - Actions for Recovery of Damages for Wrongful Death Senator Clay Yarborough, R Jacksonville Amends provisions related to the recovery of damages in wrongful death cases in Florida. Deletes restrictions preventing adult children and parents of adult children from recovering specific damages in cases of medical negligence. Bill Analysis Members raised concerns that repealing the medical negligence exception would drive up insurance costs and worsen Florida’s physician shortage, while supporters argued it is necessary to ensure accountability and reflect the value of life. Debate centered on whether improved regulatory oversight or a broader legal remedy would better address negligence and fairness. The companion bill has cleared all committee stops and is on the Special Order Calendar for full House debate this upcoming week. FAVORABLE by HHS Appropriations - 1 remaining committee stops _______________________________________ HOUSE Highlights ______________________________________________ HB 1231 - Insurance Claims Payments to Physicians Rep Dean Black, R Jacksonville Addresses changes in insurance claims payments to physicians, altering methods of payment and claim denial conditions. Prohibits health insurers and health maintenance organizations from mandating credit card payments as the only method for payments to physicians. Authorizes and regulates the use of electronic funds transfers by health insurers and health maintenance organizations for payments to physicians, requiring advance notification and written consent from physicians. Enforces that fees associated with electronic funds transfers must be consented to by physicians. Specifies conditions under which a health insurer or health maintenance organization may deny claims that involve procedures included in prior authorizations, such as reaching benefit limitations after the authorization or lack of supporting documentation. Implement provisions concerning claim denials to address procedures added after authorization, changes in medical necessity, and other specified circumstances. Bill Analysis Members’ questions centered on potential alternative payment methods and the need for clarity in credit card use between insurers and physicians; debate focused on support for transparency and fairness in claim payments, with concerns raised about retroactive denials impacting both providers and patients. FAVORABLE by Insurance & Banking - 2 remaining committee stops _________________________________________________ HB 1421 - Improving Screening for and Treatment of Blood Clots Rep Dean Black, R Jacksonville The bill creates the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act to improve screening and treatment measures for, and prevention of blood clots and pulmonary embolisms (PEs) in Florida residents. The bill: - Adds blood clots and PEs to the Statewide Stroke Registry and requires certain health care facilities to report information containing certain nationally recognized blood clot and PE performance measures.
- Requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on the incidence of blood clots and PEs using inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory surgery data.
- Requires all hospitals with emergency departments and ambulatory surgical centers to develop and implement policies and procedures for appropriate medical attention for persons at risk of forming blood clots, PEs, or DVTs, which must reflect evidence-based best practices; and requires hospitals and ASCs to train nonphysician personnel on their policies and procedures.
- Requires nursing homes and assisted living facilities to train personnel on how to recognize signs and symptoms of blood clots, PEs, and deep vein thrombosis.
Bill Analysis FAVORABLE by Health Professions - 3 remaining committee stops _______________________________________________ HB 1101 - Out-of-network Providers Rep Jon Albert, Ft Mead Requires health care practitioners to provide written notification to patients referred to nonparticipating providers, detailing that services will be conducted on an out-of-network basis, potentially increasing the patient's cost-sharing responsibilities. Includes a requirement to document such notice in the patient's medical record and establishes disciplinary action for non-compliance. Mandates health insurers to count payments for services by nonpreferred providers toward the insured's deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, provided certain conditions are met, including the insured's request, coverage scope compatibility, and charge comparison either to average preferred provider rates or state averages. Bill Analysis Members discussed requiring providers to notify patients in writing about out-of-network referrals, focusing on whether the onus should fall on physicians or insurers and how potential penalties might delay care. FAVORABLE by Health Facilities & Programs - 1 remaining committee stops __________________________________________ HB 1135 - Electrocardiograms for Student Athletes Rep Jason Shoaf, R Port St Joe The bill requires electrocardiogram (EKG) assessments for student athletes participating in interscholastic athletic competitions at Florida public and private high schools. The bill also requires the Florida High School Athletic Association bylaws to include a requirement that students in grades 9-12 receive an EKG to join an athletic team. Bill Analysis Members raised questions about cost, liability, and access to pediatric cardiologists, with broad support for mandatory EKG screenings to detect hidden cardiac conditions in student athletes, acknowledging the need for amendments to refine implementation and affordability. Overall, speakers endorsed the measure as a critical step in protecting young athletes’ lives. FAVORABLE by Student Academic Success - 1 remaining committee stops __________________________________________ HB 1437 - Attorney Fees and Costs for Motor Vehicle Personal Injury Protection Benefits Rep John Snyder, R Palm City HB 1437 entitles the prevailing party to an attorney fee award in certain lawsuits brought by a medical provider against a patient’s motor vehicle insurance company to recover specified overdue medical benefits owed to the provider under the patient’s personal injury protection (“PIP”) coverage. Bill Analysis In the brief debate, Representative Berfield (R) questioned whether a two-way fees provision would address concerns about small-amount lawsuits, while industry representatives stressed that HB 1437 could revive sue-and-settle litigation and undo recent reforms. The sponsor asserted that the bill ensures attorney fees in overdue claims disputes. ______________________________________ HB 1297 - Electronic Prescribing Rep Bill Partington, R Ormond Mandates electronic prescribing, removing exemptions in current Florida law. The following exemptions are removed, impacting both a patient's ability to price shop for their prescription drugs and/or have a written prescription for off-hour pharmacy access. Specifically, these current exemptions would be removed under the bill: The practitioner determines that the use of e-prescribing would delay a patient’s access to a drug thus adversely impacting the patient’s medical condition; The practitioner determines that it is in the best interest of the patient, or the patient determines that it is in his or her own best interest, to compare prescription drug prices among area pharmacies. The practitioner must document such determination in the patient’s medical record. Bill Analysis During the subcommittee debate, members raised concerns about removing paper-prescription exceptions – especially regarding pharmacy stock issues, transferring controlled substances, and patient cost comparisons – while emphasizing overall support for enhancing safety and efficiency. FAVORABLE by HC Professions & Programs - 1 remaining committee stops FAVORABLE by Civil Justice - 2 remaining committee stops | 
Florida Women in Nephrology Chair
FSN President
Print Page
Email to a Friend