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HB 1157 — Health Flex Plans
by Rep. Powell and others (CS/CS/SB 1128 by Community Affairs Committee; Banking and Insurance Committee; and Health Policy Committee)
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 amends s. 408.909, F.S., relating to the Health Flex program. HB 1157 eliminates the statute’s repeal date of July 1, 2013, extending the Health Flex program indefinitely. Health Flex plans were designed to provide affordable, alternative health care coverage for low-income individuals.
The bill also modifies the definition of “health care coverage” or “health flex plan coverage” to allow Health Flex plans coverage to include excepted benefits, such as hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance, and limited scope dental or vision. This change will bring the Health Flex plans, as an excepted benefits plan, into conformity with the provisions of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The Agency for Health Care Administration and the Office of Insurance Regulation will continue to jointly regulate and monitor the operation of the Health Flex plan program.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect June 30, 2013.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 116-1