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. |
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7 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
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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. |