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Staff ReportsFebruary 16, 2016

The Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee approved a proposal (SB 1442) that bans the practice of balance billing. The proposal, sponsored by Sen. Rene Garcia, is backed by CFO Jeff Atwater, who has said he wants consumers to pay no more than that what they would pay had they been in-network. Audrey Brown, president […]

Ryan RayJanuary 26, 2016

Despite some pushback from health insurance carriers, the Senate Health & Human Services Appropriations Committee approved a bill to reform children’s dental coverage by creating an independent program to administer it under the state’s Medicaid regime. The bill, SB 994, is sponsored by newly minted Senate President-to-be Sen. Joe Negron. Negron said the state’s participation levels in the program […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 25, 2016

Since the State of Florida has moved away from a fragmented fee-for-service system of healthcare delivery toward a more holistic approach to care through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program, we’ve learned many lessons. One of the most important is that a coordinated healthcare delivery system that addresses whole-body health leads to more effective, […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2016

Ending “balance billing,” overhauling the state’s insurance laws, and preserving a practice called “prior authorization” are among the goals of the Florida Association of Health Plans for this legislative session. The organization, which represents every health insurer in the state other than Florida Blue, released its priority list on Monday. “FAHP consistently supports legislative proposals that […]

Guest AuthorOctober 29, 2015

I read Audrey Brown’s opinion column in support of Carlos Trujillo’s House Bill 221. And while I agree with her sentiment that surprise bills can be unfair, I must take issue with her factual misstatements and her conclusions. Let’s start where we agree. It is indeed a serious and unfair circumstance when someone with health […]

Guest AuthorOctober 28, 2015

I read Audrey Brown’s opinion column in support of Carlos Trujillo’s House Bill 221. And while I agree with her sentiment that surprise bills can be unfair, I must take issue with her factual misstatements and her conclusions. Let’s start where we agree. It is indeed a serious and unfair circumstance when someone with health […]

Christine Jordan SextonMay 5, 2015

There are more questions than answers in Tallahassee regarding health care financing, Medicaid and the inevitable Special Session this summer. One thing is for sure, though: There’s plenty of interest in serving on the health care commission that Gov. Rick Scott created through an executive order on Tuesday. It’s tasked with analyzing the state’s health […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 6, 2015

A move to prevent doctors and hospitals from balance billing insured patients who go out-of-network for emergency services and care appears dead for the session. The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee temporarily passed the measure — SB 516 — at its meeting this past week and the bill is not slated to be heard in […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 1, 2015

Doctors and insurers battled over balance billing in the Florida Legislature on Tuesday. While the House Appropriations Committee advanced a bill, CS/HB 681 by Rep. Carlos Trujillo that would prevent insured patients from being balanced bill by providers for emergency care and place into statutes reimbursement options the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee took a pass […]

Christine Jordan SextonFebruary 12, 2015

It’s being called “The Right Place, The Right Time” bill by its supporters. Opponents think the measure, SB 784, is the wrong bill at the wrong time. Either way, it will be one of the most contested health care battles of the session and pits — once again — Florida’s largest physicians association against some […]

Tag: Audrey Brown

Capitol Reax: Balanced billing, incentives

Senate Health budget panel advances children’s Medicaid dental proposal

Audrey Brown: Don’t cut dental plan until study is completed

Health-plan group releases priorities for 2016 Legislative Session

Dr. Jonathan H. Slonin: HB 221 isn’t the way to fix balance billing

Dr. Jonathan H. Slonin: HB 221 isn't the way to fix balance billing

Rick Scott’s healthcare commission is the hot ticket in town

CFO’s priority bill on out-of-network emergency care killed in Senate?

House OKs, Senate delays balance billing ban for emergency care

Right place, right time or wrong bill at any time? SB 784 likely to spur doctors vs. health plans battle