1

A bill to be entitled

2

An act relating to optional coverage for health-related

3

disorders; amending s. 627.42395, F.S.; including certain

4

amino-acid-based formulas within requirements concerning

5

optional coverage for enteral formulas; providing an

6

effective date.

7

8

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

9

10

     Section 1.  Section 627.42395, Florida Statutes, is amended

11

to read:

12

     627.42395  Coverage for certain prescription and

13

nonprescription enteral or amino acid formulas.--

14

     (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any health

15

insurance policy delivered or issued for delivery, to any person

16

in this state or any group, blanket, or franchise health

17

insurance policy delivered or issued for delivery in this state

18

shall make available to the policyholder as part of the

19

application, for an appropriate additional premium, coverage for:

20

     (a) Prescription and nonprescription enteral formulas for

21

home use which are physician prescribed as medically necessary

22

for the treatment of inherited diseases of amino acid, organic

23

acid, carbohydrate, or fat metabolism as well as malabsorption

24

originating from congenital defects present at birth or acquired

25

during the neonatal period. Such coverage for inherited diseases

26

of amino acids and organic acids shall include food products

27

modified to be low protein, in an amount not to exceed $2,500

28

annually for any insured individual, through the age of 24.

29

     (b) Amino-acid-based elemental formulas, regardless of the

30

method of intake, for the medically necessary treatment of

31

medically diagnosed conditions such as severe multiple food

32

protein allergies, gastroesophageal reflux, eosinophilic

33

disorders, and short bowel syndrome when ordered by a licensed

34

physician.

35

     (2) This section applies to any person or family

36

notwithstanding the existence of any preexisting condition.

37

     Section 2.  This act shall take effect October 1, 2008.