HB 855

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to direct payment of benefits; amending s.
3	627.638, F.S.; revising provisions for direct payment by
4	insurers to designated providers of services authorized by
5	an insured;; providing an effective date.
6
7	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
8
9	Section 1.  Subsection (2) of section 627.638, Florida
10	Statutes, is amended to read:
11	627.638  Direct payment for hospital, medical services.--
12	(2)  Whenever, in any health insurance claim form, an
13	insured specifically authorizes payment of benefits directly to
14	any recognized hospital, licensed ambulance provider, physician,
15	or dentist, or other person who provided the services in
16	accordance with the provisions of the policy, the insurer shall
17	make such payment to the designated provider of such services,
18	unless otherwise provided in the insurance contract. The
19	insurance contract may not prohibit, and claims forms must
20	provide an option for, the payment of benefits directly to a
21	licensed hospital, licensed ambulance provider, physician, or
22	dentist for care provided pursuant to s. 395.1041 or part III of
23	chapter 401. The insurer may require written attestation of
24	assignment of benefits. Payment to the provider from the insurer
25	may not be more than the amount that the insurer would otherwise
26	have paid without the assignment.
27	Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.