Florida Senate - 2019 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS for CS for SB 322
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LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Senate . House
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Floor: NC/2R .
04/24/2019 11:43 AM .
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Senator Thurston moved the following:
1 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
2
3 Delete line 135
4 and insert:
5 Section 4. The Division of Law Revision is directed to
6 rename part II of chapter 409, Florida Statutes, as “Insurance
7 Affordability Programs” and to incorporate ss. 409.72-409.731,
8 Florida Statutes, under this part.
9 Section 5. Section 409.72, Florida Statutes, is created to
10 read:
11 409.72 Short title.—Sections 409.72-409.731 may be cited as
12 the “Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange Program”
13 (“FHIX”).
14 Section 6. Section 409.721, Florida Statutes, is created to
15 read:
16 409.721 Program authority.—The Florida Health Insurance
17 Affordability Exchange Program (FHIX) is created within the
18 Agency for Health Care Administration to assist Floridians in
19 purchasing health benefits coverage and gaining access to health
20 services. The products and services offered by FHIX are based on
21 the following principles:
22 (1) FAIR VALUE.—Financial assistance will be rationally
23 allocated regardless of differences in categorical eligibility.
24 (2) CONSUMER CHOICE.—Participants will be offered
25 meaningful choices in the way the participants can redeem the
26 value of the available assistance.
27 (3) SIMPLICITY.—Obtaining assistance will be consumer
28 friendly, and customer support will be available when needed.
29 (4) PORTABILITY.—Participants can continue to access the
30 FHIX services and products despite changes in their
31 circumstances.
32 (5) EMPLOYMENT.—Assistance will be offered in a way that
33 incentivizes employment.
34 (6) CONSUMER EMPOWERMENT.—Assistance will be offered in a
35 manner that maximizes individual control over available
36 resources.
37 (7) RISK ADJUSTMENT.—The amount of assistance will reflect
38 participants’ medical risk.
39 Section 7. Section 409.722, Florida Statutes, is created to
40 read:
41 409.722 Definitions.—As used in ss. 409.72-409.731, the
42 term:
43 (1) “Agency” means the Agency for Health Care
44 Administration.
45 (2) “Applicant” means an individual who applies for
46 determination of eligibility for health benefits coverage under
47 this part.
48 (3) “Corporation” means Florida Health Choices, Inc., as
49 established under s. 408.910.
50 (4) “Enrollee” means a participant who has been determined
51 eligible for and is receiving health benefits coverage under
52 this part.
53 (5) “Federal exchange” or “exchange” means an insurance
54 platform regulated by the Federal Government which offers tiers
55 of health plans from the least comprehensive plan to the most
56 comprehensive plan.
57 (6) “FHIX marketplace” or “marketplace” means the single,
58 centralized market established under s. 408.910 which
59 facilitates health benefits coverage.
60 (7) “Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange
61 Program” or “FHIX” means the program created under ss. 409.72
62 409.731.
63 (8) “Florida Healthy Kids Corporation” means the entity
64 created under s. 624.91.
65 (9) “Florida Kidcare program” or “Kidcare program” means
66 the health benefits coverage administered through ss. 409.810
67 409.821.
68 (10) “Health benefits coverage” means the payment of
69 benefits for covered health care services or the availability,
70 directly or through arrangements with other persons, of covered
71 health care services on a prepaid per capita basis or on a
72 prepaid aggregate fixed-sum basis.
73 (11) “Inactive status” means the enrollment status of a
74 participant previously enrolled in health benefits coverage
75 through FHIX who lost coverage for noncompliance pursuant to s.
76 409.723, but who maintains access to his or her balance in a
77 health savings account or health reimbursement account.
78 (12) “Medicaid” means the medical assistance program
79 authorized by Title XIX of the Social Security Act, and
80 regulations thereunder, and parts III and IV of this chapter, as
81 administered in this state by the agency.
82 (13) “Modified adjusted gross income” means the
83 individual’s or household’s annual adjusted gross income, as
84 defined in s. 36B(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
85 which is used to determine eligibility for FHIX.
86 (14) “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” or
87 “Affordable Care Act” means Pub. L. No. 111-148, as amended by
88 the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Pub.
89 L. No. 111-152, and regulations adopted pursuant to those acts.
90 (15) “Premium credit” means the monthly amount paid by the
91 agency per enrollee in the Florida Health Insurance
92 Affordability Exchange Program toward health benefits coverage.
93 (16) “Qualified alien” means an alien as defined in 8
94 U.S.C. s. 1641(b) or (c).
95 (17) “Resident” means a United States citizen or a
96 qualified alien who is domiciled in this state.
97 Section 8. Section 409.723, Florida Statutes, is created to
98 read:
99 409.723 Participation.—
100 (1) ELIGIBILITY.—To participate in FHIX, an individual must
101 be a resident and meet the following requirements, as
102 applicable:
103 (a) Qualify as a newly eligible enrollee, and be an
104 individual as described in s. 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) of the
105 Social Security Act or s. 2001 of the Affordable Care Act and as
106 may be further defined by federal regulation.
107 (b) Meet and maintain the responsibilities under subsection
108 (4).
109 (c) Qualify for participation in the Florida Healthy Kids
110 program under s. 624.91, subject to the implementation of Phase
111 Two under s. 409.727.
112 (2) ENROLLMENT.—To enroll in FHIX, an applicant must submit
113 an application to the department for an eligibility
114 determination.
115 (a) Applications may be submitted online, or by mail,
116 facsimile, or any other method permitted by law or regulation.
117 (b) The department is responsible for any eligibility
118 correspondence and status updates to the participant and other
119 agencies.
120 (c) The department shall review a participant’s eligibility
121 at least every 12 months.
122 (d) An application or renewal is deemed complete when the
123 participant has met all the requirements under subsection (4),
124 as applicable.
125 (3) PARTICIPANT RIGHTS.—A participant has all of the
126 following rights:
127 (a) Access to the FHIX marketplace or federal exchange to
128 select the scope, amount, and type of health care coverage and
129 other services to be purchased.
130 (b) Continuity and portability of coverage to avoid
131 disruption of coverage and other health care services when the
132 participant’s economic circumstances change.
133 (c) Retention of applicable unspent credits in the
134 participant’s health savings or health reimbursement account
135 following a change in the participant’s eligibility status.
136 Credits are valid for a participant in an inactive status for up
137 to 5 years after the participant’s status first becomes
138 inactive.
139 (d) Ability to select more than one product or plan on the
140 FHIX marketplace or federal exchange.
141 (e) Choice of at least two health benefits products that
142 meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.
143 (4) PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES.—A participant must:
144 (a) Complete an initial application for health benefits
145 coverage and the annual renewal process.
146 (b) Provide evidence of participation in one or more of the
147 following activities at the levels required under paragraph (c):
148 1. Paid employment.
149 2. On-the-job training or job placement activities.
150 Evidence of participation in job placement activities must
151 include registration with CareerSource Florida and may include
152 other documentation such as, but not limited to, written
153 acknowledgment from a potential employer of receipt of an
154 employment application from the participant; confirmation from a
155 potential employer of a job interview with the participant;
156 documentation of job-seeking activities; and documentation of
157 assistance or training related to preparing a resume, completing
158 an employment application, or interviewing skills.
159 3. Educational pursuits.
160
161 A participant who is a disabled adult or the caregiver of a
162 disabled child or adult may submit a request to the department
163 for an exception to the requirements in this paragraph. Such
164 participant shall annually submit to the department a request to
165 renew the exception. The term “disabled” means any person who
166 has one or more permanent physical or mental impairments that
167 substantially limit his or her ability to perform one or more
168 major life activities of daily living, as defined by the
169 Americans with Disabilities Act, without receiving more than 8
170 hours of assistance per day.
171 (c) Engage in the activities required under paragraph (b)
172 at the following minimum levels:
173 1. For a parent of a child younger than 18 years of age, a
174 minimum of 20 hours weekly.
175 2. For a childless adult, a minimum of 30 hours weekly.
176 (d) Learn and remain informed about the choices available
177 in the FHIX marketplace or the federal exchange and the
178 allowable uses of credits in the individual accounts.
179 (e) Execute a contract with the department which
180 acknowledges that:
181 1. FHIX is not an entitlement and state and federal funding
182 may end at any time;
183 2. Failure to pay required premiums or cost sharing will
184 result in a transition to inactive status; and
185 3. Noncompliance with the participation requirements as
186 established under this section will result in a transition to
187 inactive status.
188 (f) Select plans and other products in a timely manner.
189 (g) Comply with program rules and the prohibitions against
190 fraud, as described in s. 414.39.
191 (h) Timely make monthly premium and any other cost-sharing
192 payments.
193 (i) Meet minimum coverage requirements by selecting either
194 a high-deductible health plan combined with a health savings or
195 a reimbursement account or a combination of plans or products
196 with an actuarial value that meets or exceeds benefits available
197 under the federal exchange.
198 (5) COST SHARING.—
199 (a) Except for enrollees eligible under paragraph (1)(c),
200 enrollees are assessed monthly premiums based on their modified
201 adjusted gross income. The maximum monthly premium payments are
202 set at the following income levels:
203 1. At or below 22 percent of the federal poverty level: $3.
204 2. Greater than 22 percent, but at or below 50 percent, of
205 the federal poverty level: $8.
206 3. Greater than 50 percent, but at or below 75 percent, of
207 the federal poverty level: $15.
208 4. Greater than 75 percent, but at or below 100 percent, of
209 the federal poverty level: $20.
210 5. Greater than 100 percent of the federal poverty level:
211 $25.
212 (b) Depending on the products and services selected by the
213 enrollee, the enrollee may also incur additional cost sharing,
214 such as copayments, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs.
215 (c) An enrollee may be subject to charges for an
216 inappropriate emergency room visit of up to $8 for the first
217 visit and up to $25 for any subsequent visit, based on the
218 enrollee’s benefit plan, to discourage inappropriate use of the
219 emergency room.
220 (d) Cumulative annual cost sharing per enrollee may not
221 exceed 5 percent of an enrollee’s annual modified adjusted gross
222 income.
223 (e) If, after a 30-day grace period, a full premium payment
224 has not been received, the enrollee shall be transitioned from
225 coverage to inactive status and may not reenroll for a minimum
226 of 6 months, unless a hardship exception has been granted.
227 Enrollees may seek a hardship exception under the Medicaid Fair
228 Hearing Process.
229 (f) Enrollees eligible under paragraph (1)(c) must pay
230 premiums according to the Title XXI state plan amendment and
231 follow disenrollment criteria for noncompliance in accordance
232 with s. 624.91.
233 Section 9. Section 409.724, Florida Statutes, is created to
234 read:
235 409.724 Available assistance.—
236 (1) PREMIUM CREDITS.—
237 (a) Standard amount.—The agency shall develop a monthly
238 premium credit structure appropriate to a benefit plan that
239 meets the bronze metal standard of the Affordable Care Act.
240 (b) Supplemental funding.—Subject to federal approval,
241 additional resources may be made available to enrollees and
242 incorporated into FHIX.
243 (c) Savings accounts.—In addition to the benefits provided
244 under this section, the corporation shall offer each enrollee
245 access to an individual account that qualifies as a health
246 reimbursement account or a health savings account.
247 1. Unexpended funds.—Eligible unexpended funds from the
248 monthly premium credit must be deposited into each enrollee’s
249 individual account in a timely manner. Funds deposited into
250 these individual accounts may be used to pay cost-sharing
251 obligations or to purchase other health-related items to the
252 extent permitted under federal and state law.
253 2. Healthy behaviors.—Enrollees may receive credits to
254 their individual accounts for healthy behaviors, adherence to
255 wellness programs, and other activities that demonstrate
256 compliance with prevention or disease management guidelines.
257 3. Enrollee contributions.—The enrollee may make deposits
258 to his or her account at any time to supplement the premium
259 credit, to purchase additional FHIX products, or to offset other
260 cost-sharing obligations.
261 4. Third parties.—Third parties, including, but not limited
262 to, an employer or relative, may also make deposits on behalf of
263 the enrollee into the enrollee’s FHIX marketplace account. The
264 enrollee may not withdraw any funds as a refund, except those
265 funds the enrollee has deposited into his or her account.
266 (2) CHOICE COUNSELING.—The agency, in consultation with the
267 Florida Healthy Kids Corporation and the corporation, shall
268 develop a choice counseling program for FHIX. The choice
269 counseling program must ensure that participants have
270 information about the FHIX marketplace program, the federal
271 exchange, products, and services and that participants know
272 where and whom to call for questions or to make their plan
273 selections. The choice counseling program must provide
274 culturally sensitive materials and must take into consideration
275 the demographics of the projected population.
276 (3) EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.—The agency, the corporation, and
277 the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation must coordinate in advance
278 of Phase One an ongoing education campaign to inform
279 participants, at a minimum, of the following:
280 (a) How the FHIX marketplace operates and the timeline for
281 enrollment.
282 (b) Plans that are available and how to find information
283 about these plans.
284 (c) Information about other available insurance
285 affordability programs for the participant and his or her
286 family.
287 (d) Information about health benefits coverage, provider
288 networks, and cost sharing for available plans in each region.
289 (e) Information about how to complete the required annual
290 renewal process, including renewal dates and deadlines.
291 (f) Information about how to update eligibility if the
292 participant’s data have changed since his or her last renewal or
293 application date.
294 (4) CUSTOMER SUPPORT.—The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation
295 shall provide customer support for FHIX, including, but not
296 limited to, general program information, financial information,
297 and enrollee payments. Customer support must also provide a
298 toll-free telephone number and maintain a website that is
299 available in multiple languages and that meets the needs of the
300 enrollee population.
301 (5) INACTIVE PARTICIPANTS.—The corporation must inform the
302 inactive participant about other insurance affordability
303 programs and electronically refer the participant to the federal
304 exchange or other insurance affordability programs, as
305 appropriate.
306 Section 10. Section 409.725, Florida Statutes, is created
307 to read:
308 409.725 Available products and services.—The FHIX
309 marketplace shall offer the following products and services:
310 (1) Those authorized pursuant to s. 408.910.
311 (2) Products authorized by the federal exchange.
312 (3) Products authorized by the Florida Healthy Kids
313 Corporation pursuant to s. 624.91.
314 (4) Premium credits for participation in employer-sponsored
315 plans.
316 Section 11. Section 409.726, Florida Statutes, is created
317 to read:
318 409.726 Program accountability.—
319 (1) All managed care plans that participate in FHIX must
320 collect and maintain encounter level data in accordance with the
321 encounter data requirements under s. 409.967(2)(e) and are
322 subject to the accompanying penalties under s. 409.967(2)(i)2.
323 The agency is responsible for the collection and maintenance of
324 the encounter level data.
325 (2) The corporation, in consultation with the agency, shall
326 establish access and network standards for contracts on the FHIX
327 marketplace, shall ensure that contracted plans have sufficient
328 providers to meet enrollee needs, and shall develop quality of
329 coverage and provider standards specific to the adult
330 population.
331 (3) The department shall develop accountability measures
332 and performance standards to be applied to initial and renewal
333 FHIX applications that are submitted online, by mail, by
334 facsimile, or through referrals from a third party. The minimum
335 performance standards are:
336 (a) Application processing speed.—Ninety percent of all
337 applications, regardless of the method of submission, must be
338 processed within 45 days.
339 (b) Application processing speed from online sources.
340 Ninety-five percent of all applications received from online
341 sources must be processed within 45 days.
342 (c) Renewal application processing speed.—Ninety percent of
343 all renewals, regardless of the method of submission, must be
344 processed within 45 days.
345 (d) Renewal application processing speed from online
346 sources.—Ninety-five percent of all applications received from
347 online sources must be processed within 45 days.
348 (4) The agency, the department, and the Florida Healthy
349 Kids Corporation must meet the following standards for their
350 respective roles in the program:
351 (a) Eighty-five percent of calls must be answered in 20
352 seconds or less.
353 (b) All contacts, including, but not limited to, telephone
354 calls, faxed documents and requests, and e-mails, must be
355 handled within 2 business days.
356 (c) Any self-service tools available to participants, such
357 as interactive voice response systems, must be operational 7
358 days a week, 24 hours a day, at least 98 percent of each month.
359 (5) The agency, the department, and the Florida Healthy
360 Kids Corporation shall conduct an annual satisfaction survey to
361 address all measures that require participant input specific to
362 the FHIX marketplace program. The parties may elect to
363 incorporate these elements into the annual report required under
364 subsection (7).
365 (6) The agency and the corporation shall post online
366 monthly enrollment reports for FHIX.
367 (7) Beginning in 2020, an annual report is due no later
368 than July 1 to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and
369 the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The annual report
370 must be coordinated by the agency and the corporation and must
371 include at least the following:
372 (a) Enrollment and application trends and issues.
373 (b) Utilization and cost data.
374 (c) Customer satisfaction.
375 (d) Funding sources in health savings accounts or health
376 reimbursement accounts.
377 (e) Enrollee use of funds in health savings accounts or
378 health reimbursement accounts.
379 (f) Types of products and plans purchased.
380 (g) Movement of enrollees across different insurance
381 affordability programs.
382 (h) Recommendations for program improvement.
383 Section 12. Section 409.727, Florida Statutes, is created
384 to read:
385 409.727 Readiness review and implementation schedule.—The
386 agency, the corporation, the department, and the Florida Healthy
387 Kids Corporation shall begin implementation of FHIX on the
388 effective date of this act, with enrollment for Phase One
389 beginning by January 1, 2020.
390 (1) READINESS REVIEW.—Before implementation of any phase
391 under this part or in any region, the agency shall conduct a
392 readiness review in consultation with the FHIX Workgroup
393 established pursuant to s. 409.729. The agency shall determine,
394 at a minimum, the following readiness milestones:
395 (a) Functional readiness of the service delivery platform.
396 (b) Plan availability and presence of plan choice.
397 (c) Provider network capacity and adequacy of the available
398 plans.
399 (d) Availability of customer support.
400 (e) Other factors critical to the success of FHIX.
401 (2) PHASE ONE.—The agency, the corporation, and the Florida
402 Healthy Kids Corporation shall coordinate implementation
403 activities to ensure that enrollment begins by January 1, 2020,
404 and is available in all regions by July 1, 2020.
405 (a) Beginning no later than January 1, 2020, and contingent
406 upon federal approval, participants may enroll in health
407 benefits coverage under the FHIX marketplace or the federal
408 exchange, if eligible.
409 (b) To be eligible for enrollment during this phase, a
410 participant must meet the requirements under s. 409.723(1)(a)
411 and (b).
412 (c) An enrollee may select any benefit, service, or product
413 available in the region.
414 (d) The corporation shall notify an enrollee of his or her
415 premium credit amount and how to access the FHIX marketplace
416 selection process or the federal exchange.
417 (e) An enrollee must have a choice of at least two managed
418 care plans in each region which meet or exceed the Affordable
419 Care Act’s requirements and which qualify for a premium credit
420 on the FHIX marketplace or federal exchange.
421 (f) Choice counseling and customer service must be provided
422 in accordance with s. 409.724(2) and (4).
423 (3) PHASE TWO.—
424 (a) Not later than July 1, 2020, the corporation and the
425 Florida Healthy Kids Corporation shall begin the transition of
426 enrollees under s. 624.91 to the FHIX marketplace.
427 (b) Eligibility during this phase is based on meeting the
428 requirements of s. 409.723(1)(c) and (4).
429 (c) An enrollee may select any available benefit, service,
430 or product available under s. 409.725.
431 (d) A Florida Healthy Kids enrollee who selects an FHIX
432 marketplace plan or federal exchange plan shall be provided a
433 premium credit equivalent to the average capitation rate paid in
434 his or her county of residence under Florida Healthy Kids as of
435 June 30, 2020. The enrollee is responsible for any difference in
436 costs and may use any unexpended funds deposited in his or her
437 savings account under s. 409.724(1)(c) for supplemental benefits
438 on the FHIX marketplace or federal exchange.
439 (e) The corporation shall notify an enrollee of his or her
440 premium credit amount and how to access the FHIX marketplace
441 selection process or federal exchange.
442 (f) Choice counseling and customer service must be provided
443 in accordance with s. 409.724(2) and (4).
444 (g) Enrollees under s. 624.91 must transition to the FHIX
445 marketplace and coverage under s. 409.725 by September 30, 2020.
446 (h) A provision that is applicable to an individual under
447 s. 624.91 is available and applicable to an enrollee who is
448 eligible under s. 409.723(1)(c).
449 Section 13. Section 409.728, Florida Statutes, is created
450 to read:
451 409.728 Program operation and management.—In order to
452 implement ss. 409.72-409.731:
453 (1) The agency shall do all of the following:
454 (a) Contract with the corporation for the development,
455 implementation, and administration of the Florida Health
456 Insurance Affordability Exchange Program and for the release of
457 any federal, state, or other funds appropriated to the
458 corporation.
459 (b) Provide administrative support to the FHIX Workgroup
460 established pursuant to s. 409.729.
461 (c) Consult with stakeholders that serve low-income
462 individuals and families during implementation, using a public
463 input process.
464 (d) Timely transmit enrollee information to the
465 corporation.
466 (e) Annually determine the appropriate premium credit based
467 on the difference in the price of a benchmark product on the
468 FHIX marketplace and the enrollee premium contribution as
469 outlined in s. 409.723(5)(a). For purposes of this paragraph,
470 the benchmark product on the FHIX marketplace is the bronze
471 level plan under the Affordable Care Act. For plans on the FHIX
472 marketplace, the agency shall annually establish a retroactive
473 methodology to adjust premium revenue to the relative clinical
474 risk profile of each plan’s enrollees.
475 (f) Transfer funds allocated for premium credits by General
476 Appropriations Act to the corporation.
477 (g) Adopt rules in coordination with the corporation and
478 the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation in order to implement FHIX,
479 including modifying existing rules implementing the Children’s
480 Health Insurance Program and adapting adult-focused provisions
481 for children to accommodate the seamless transition of Healthy
482 Kids enrollees to FHIX.
483 (2) The department shall, in coordination with the
484 corporation, the agency, and the Florida Healthy Kids
485 Corporation, determine eligibility of applications and
486 application renewals for FHIX in accordance with s. 409.902 and
487 shall transmit eligibility determination information on a timely
488 basis to the agency and corporation.
489 (3) The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation shall do all of
490 the following:
491 (a) Retain its duties and responsibilities under s. 624.91
492 during Phase One of the program.
493 (b) In coordination with the agency and the corporation,
494 provide customer service for the FHIX marketplace.
495 (c) Transfer funds and provide financial support to the
496 FHIX marketplace, including the collection of monthly cost
497 sharing payments.
498 (d) Conduct financial reporting related to such activities,
499 in coordination with the corporation and the agency.
500 (e) Coordinate program activities with the agency, the
501 department, and the corporation.
502 (4) Florida Health Choices, Inc., shall do all of the
503 following:
504 (a) Develop and maintain the FHIX marketplace.
505 (b) Implement and administer Phase One and Phase Two of the
506 FHIX marketplace and the ongoing operations of the program.
507 (c) Offer health benefits coverage packages on the FHIX
508 marketplace, including plans compliant with the Affordable Care
509 Act.
510 (d) Offer FHIX enrollees a choice of at least two plans per
511 county at each benefit level which meet the requirements under
512 the Affordable Care Act.
513 (e) Offer the opportunity to participate in the federal
514 exchange.
515 (f) Offer enhanced or customized benefits to FHIX
516 marketplace enrollees.
517 (g) Provide sufficient staff and resources to meet the
518 program needs of enrollees.
519 (h) Provide an opportunity for plans contracted with or
520 previously contracted with the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation
521 under s. 624.91 to participate in FHIX if those plans meet the
522 requirements of the program.
523 (i) Encourage insurance agents licensed under chapter 626
524 to identify and assist enrollees. This act does not prohibit
525 these agents from receiving usual and customary commissions from
526 insurers and health maintenance organizations that offer plans
527 in the FHIX marketplace.
528 Section 14. Section 409.729, Florida Statutes, is created
529 to read:
530 409.729 Long-term reorganization.—The FHIX Workgroup is
531 created to facilitate the implementation of FHIX and to plan for
532 the reorganization of the state’s insurance affordability
533 programs. The FHIX Workgroup consists of two representatives
534 each from the agency, the department, the Florida Healthy Kids
535 Corporation, and the corporation. An additional representative
536 of the agency serves as chair. The FHIX Workgroup must hold its
537 organizational meeting no later than 30 days after the effective
538 date of this act and must meet at least bimonthly. The role of
539 the FHIX Workgroup is to make recommendations to the agency. The
540 responsibilities of the workgroup include, but are not limited
541 to:
542 (1) Developing and presenting a final implementation plan
543 that meets the requirements of this part in a report submitted
544 to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
545 the House of Representatives no later than November 1, 2019.
546 (2) Reviewing network and access standards for plans and
547 products.
548 (3) Assessing readiness and recommending actions needed to
549 reorganize the state’s insurance affordability programs for each
550 phase or region. If a phase or region receives a nonreadiness
551 recommendation, the agency shall notify the Legislature of that
552 recommendation, the reasons for such a recommendation, and
553 proposed plans for achieving readiness.
554 (4) Recommending any proposed change to the Title XIX
555 funded or Title XXI-funded programs based on the continued
556 availability and reauthorization of the Title XXI program and
557 its federal funding.
558 (5) Identifying duplication of services by the corporation,
559 the agency, and the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation currently
560 and under FHIX’s proposed Phase Two program.
561 (6) Evaluating any fiscal impacts based on the proposed
562 transition plan under Phase Two.
563 (7) Compiling a schedule of impacted contracts, leases, and
564 other assets.
565 (8) Determining staff requirements for Phase Two.
566 Section 15. Section 409.73, Florida Statutes, is created to
567 read:
568 409.73 Legislative review.—The agency may seek federal
569 approval to implement FHIX as provided in ss. 409.72-409.731.
570 The agency is prohibited from implementing the FHIX waiver
571 without specific legislative approval unless the terms and
572 conditions of the approved waiver are substantially consistent
573 with the statutory requirements for this program.
574 Section 16. Section 409.731, Florida Statutes, is created
575 to read:
576 409.731 Program expiration.—
577 (1) The Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange
578 Program expires at the end of the state fiscal year in which any
579 of these conditions occurs:
580 (a) The federal match contribution for the newly eligible
581 under the Affordable Care Act falls below 90 percent.
582 (b) The federal match contribution falls below the
583 increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for medical
584 assistance for newly eligible mandatory individuals as specified
585 in the Affordable Care Act.
586 (c) The federal match for the FHIX program and the Medicaid
587 program are blended under federal law or regulation in such a
588 manner that causes the overall federal contribution to diminish
589 when compared to separate, nonblended federal contributions.
590 (2) Provided the conditions specified in subsection (1)
591 have not previously occurred, the Florida Health Insurance
592 Affordability Exchange Program shall expire on July 1, 2022,
593 unless reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature.
594 (3) The Health Outcomes Review Commission is established to
595 assess the following indicators:
596 (a) Patient outcomes.—Selected measures from the National
597 Healthcare Quality Report or similarly credible sources will be
598 applied to FHIX enrollees and compared to outcomes for Managed
599 Medical Assistance enrollees and uninsured patients.
600 (b) Fiscal impact.—Actual annual state general revenue
601 expenditures for the FHIX program will be compared to predicted
602 expenditures.
603 (c) Access to care.—Potentially preventable hospitalization
604 rates for acute and chronic conditions and potentially
605 preventable emergency department visits among FHIX enrollees
606 will be compared to Managed Medical Assistance enrollees and
607 uninsured patients.
608 (4) The Health Outcomes Review Commission shall consist of
609 nine members appointed by the Governor, the President of the
610 Senate, and the Speaker of the House. The Governor and each
611 presiding officer shall appoint one healthcare professional, one
612 private business representative, and one elected official.
613 (5) The commission shall be appointed no later than January
614 1, 2021, and shall meet regularly to select specific indicators,
615 review preliminary data, and develop a framework for a final
616 report. Staff support shall be provided to the commission by the
617 Agency for Health Care Administration.
618 (6) The commission’s final report shall be submitted to the
619 Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
620 House by January 1, 2022.
621 Section 17. Section 408.70, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
622 Section 18. Section 408.910, Florida Statutes, is amended
623 to read:
624 408.910 Florida Health Choices Program.—
625 (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—The Legislature finds that a
626 significant number of the residents of this state do not have
627 adequate access to affordable, quality health care. The
628 Legislature further finds that increasing access to affordable,
629 quality health care can be best accomplished by establishing a
630 competitive market for purchasing health insurance and health
631 services. It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to
632 create and expand the Florida Health Choices Program to:
633 (a) Expand opportunities for Floridians to purchase
634 affordable health insurance and health services.
635 (b) Preserve the benefits of employment-sponsored insurance
636 while easing the administrative burden for employers who offer
637 these benefits.
638 (c) Enable individual choice in both the manner and amount
639 of health care purchased.
640 (d) Provide for the purchase of individual, portable health
641 care coverage.
642 (e) Disseminate information to consumers on the price and
643 quality of health services.
644 (f) Sponsor a competitive market that stimulates product
645 innovation, quality improvement, and efficiency in the
646 production and delivery of health services.
647 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
648 (a) “Corporation” means the Florida Health Choices, Inc.,
649 established under this section.
650 (b) “Corporation’s marketplace” means the single,
651 centralized market established by the program that facilitates
652 the purchase of products made available in the marketplace.
653 (c) “Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange
654 Program” or “FHIX” is the program created under ss. 409.72
655 409.731 for low-income, uninsured residents of this state.
656 (d)(c) “Health insurance agent” means an agent licensed
657 under part IV of chapter 626.
658 (e)(d) “Insurer” means an entity licensed under chapter 624
659 which offers an individual health insurance policy or a group
660 health insurance policy, a preferred provider organization as
661 defined in s. 627.6471, an exclusive provider organization as
662 defined in s. 627.6472, a health maintenance organization
663 licensed under part I of chapter 641, or a prepaid limited
664 health service organization or discount plan organization
665 licensed under chapter 636.
666 (f) “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” or
667 “Affordable Care Act” means Pub. L. No. 111-148, as further
668 amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of
669 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-152, and regulations adopted pursuant to
670 those acts.
671 (g)(e) “Program” means the Florida Health Choices Program
672 established by this section.
673 (3) PROGRAM PURPOSE AND COMPONENTS.—The Florida Health
674 Choices Program is created as a single, centralized market for
675 the sale and purchase of various products that enable
676 individuals to pay for health care. These products include, but
677 are not limited to, health insurance plans, health maintenance
678 organization plans, prepaid services, service contracts, and
679 flexible spending accounts. The components of the program
680 include:
681 (a) Enrollment of employers.
682 (b) Administrative services for participating employers,
683 including:
684 1. Assistance in seeking federal approval of cafeteria
685 plans.
686 2. Collection of premiums and other payments.
687 3. Management of individual benefit accounts.
688 4. Distribution of premiums to insurers and payments to
689 other eligible vendors.
690 5. Assistance for participants in complying with reporting
691 requirements.
692 (c) Services to individual participants, including:
693 1. Information about available products and participating
694 vendors.
695 2. Assistance with assessing the benefits and limits of
696 each product, including information necessary to distinguish
697 between policies offering creditable coverage and other products
698 available through the program.
699 3. Account information to assist individual participants
700 with managing available resources.
701 4. Services that promote healthy behaviors.
702 5. Health benefits coverage information about health
703 insurance plans compliant with the Affordable Care Act.
704 6. Consumer assistance with web-based information services
705 for the Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange Program,
706 or (”FHIX”).
707 (d) Recruitment of vendors, including insurers, health
708 maintenance organizations, prepaid clinic service providers,
709 provider service networks, and other providers.
710 (e) Certification of vendors to ensure capability,
711 reliability, and validity of offerings.
712 (f) Collection of data, monitoring, assessment, and
713 reporting of vendor performance.
714 (g) Information services for individuals and employers.
715 (h) Program evaluation.
716 (4) ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION.—Participation in the
717 program is voluntary and shall be available to employers,
718 individuals, vendors, and health insurance agents as specified
719 in this subsection.
720 (a) Employers eligible to enroll in the program include
721 those employers that meet criteria established by the
722 corporation and elect to make their employees eligible through
723 the program.
724 (b) Individuals eligible to participate in the program
725 include:
726 1. Individual employees of enrolled employers.
727 2. Other individuals that meet criteria established by the
728 corporation.
729 (c) Employers who choose to participate in the program may
730 enroll by complying with the procedures established by the
731 corporation. The procedures must include, but are not limited
732 to:
733 1. Submission of required information.
734 2. Compliance with federal tax requirements for the
735 establishment of a cafeteria plan, pursuant to s. 125 of the
736 Internal Revenue Code, including designation of the employer’s
737 plan as a premium payment plan, a salary reduction plan that has
738 flexible spending arrangements, or a salary reduction plan that
739 has a premium payment and flexible spending arrangements.
740 3. Determination of the employer’s contribution, if any,
741 per employee, provided that such contribution is equal for each
742 eligible employee.
743 4. Establishment of payroll deduction procedures, subject
744 to the agreement of each individual employee who voluntarily
745 participates in the program.
746 5. Designation of the corporation as the third-party
747 administrator for the employer’s health benefit plan.
748 6. Identification of eligible employees.
749 7. Arrangement for periodic payments.
750 8. Employer notification to employees of the intent to
751 transfer from an existing employee health plan to the program at
752 least 90 days before the transition.
753 (d) All eligible vendors who choose to participate and the
754 products and services that the vendors are permitted to sell are
755 as follows:
756 1. Insurers licensed under chapter 624 may sell health
757 insurance policies, limited benefit policies, other risk-bearing
758 coverage, and other products or services.
759 2. Health maintenance organizations licensed under part I
760 of chapter 641 may sell health maintenance contracts, limited
761 benefit policies, other risk-bearing products, and other
762 products or services.
763 3. Prepaid limited health service organizations may sell
764 products and services as authorized under part I of chapter 636,
765 and discount plan organizations may sell products and services
766 as authorized under part II of chapter 636.
767 4. Prepaid health clinic service providers licensed under
768 part II of chapter 641 may sell prepaid service contracts and
769 other arrangements for a specified amount and type of health
770 services or treatments.
771 5. Health care providers, including hospitals and other
772 licensed health facilities, health care clinics, licensed health
773 professionals, pharmacies, and other licensed health care
774 providers, may sell service contracts and arrangements for a
775 specified amount and type of health services or treatments.
776 6. Provider organizations, including service networks,
777 group practices, professional associations, and other
778 incorporated organizations of providers, may sell service
779 contracts and arrangements for a specified amount and type of
780 health services or treatments.
781 7. Corporate entities providing specific health services in
782 accordance with applicable state law may sell service contracts
783 and arrangements for a specified amount and type of health
784 services or treatments.
785
786 A vendor described in subparagraphs 3.-7. may not sell products
787 that provide risk-bearing coverage unless that vendor is
788 authorized under a certificate of authority issued by the Office
789 of Insurance Regulation and is authorized to provide coverage in
790 the relevant geographic area. Otherwise eligible vendors may be
791 excluded from participating in the program for deceptive or
792 predatory practices, financial insolvency, or failure to comply
793 with the terms of the participation agreement or other standards
794 set by the corporation.
795 (e) Eligible individuals may participate in the program
796 voluntarily. Individuals who join the program may participate by
797 complying with the procedures established by the corporation.
798 These procedures must include, but are not limited to:
799 1. Submission of required information.
800 2. Authorization for payroll deduction, if applicable.
801 3. Compliance with federal tax requirements.
802 4. Arrangements for payment.
803 5. Selection of products and services.
804 (f) Vendors who choose to participate in the program may
805 enroll by complying with the procedures established by the
806 corporation. These procedures may include, but are not limited
807 to:
808 1. Submission of required information, including a complete
809 description of the coverage, services, provider network, payment
810 restrictions, and other requirements of each product offered
811 through the program.
812 2. Execution of an agreement to comply with requirements
813 established by the corporation.
814 3. Execution of an agreement that prohibits refusal to sell
815 any offered product or service to a participant who elects to
816 buy it.
817 4. Establishment of product prices based on applicable
818 criteria.
819 5. Arrangements for receiving payment for enrolled
820 participants.
821 6. Participation in ongoing reporting processes established
822 by the corporation.
823 7. Compliance with grievance procedures established by the
824 corporation.
825 (g) Health insurance agents licensed under part IV of
826 chapter 626 are eligible to voluntarily participate as buyers’
827 representatives. A buyer’s representative acts on behalf of an
828 individual purchasing health insurance and health services
829 through the program by providing information about products and
830 services available through the program and assisting the
831 individual with both the decision and the procedure of selecting
832 specific products. Serving as a buyer’s representative does not
833 constitute a conflict of interest with continuing
834 responsibilities as a health insurance agent if the relationship
835 between each agent and any participating vendor is disclosed
836 before advising an individual participant about the products and
837 services available through the program. In order to participate,
838 a health insurance agent shall comply with the procedures
839 established by the corporation, including:
840 1. Completion of training requirements.
841 2. Execution of a participation agreement specifying the
842 terms and conditions of participation.
843 3. Disclosure of any appointments to solicit insurance or
844 procure applications for vendors participating in the program.
845 4. Arrangements to receive payment from the corporation for
846 services as a buyer’s representative.
847 (5) PRODUCTS.—
848 (a) The products that may be made available for purchase
849 through the program include, but are not limited to:
850 1. Health insurance policies.
851 2. Health maintenance contracts.
852 3. Limited benefit plans.
853 4. Prepaid clinic services.
854 5. Service contracts.
855 6. Arrangements for purchase of specific amounts and types
856 of health services and treatments.
857 7. Flexible spending accounts.
858 (b) Health insurance policies, health maintenance
859 contracts, limited benefit plans, prepaid service contracts, and
860 other contracts for services must ensure the availability of
861 covered services.
862 (c) Products may be offered for multiyear periods provided
863 the price of the product is specified for the entire period or
864 for each separately priced segment of the policy or contract.
865 (d) The corporation shall provide a disclosure form for
866 consumers to acknowledge their understanding of the nature of,
867 and any limitations to, the benefits provided by the products
868 and services being purchased by the consumer.
869 (e) The corporation must determine that making the plan
870 available through the program is in the interest of eligible
871 individuals and eligible employers in the state.
872 (6) PRICING.—Prices for the products and services sold
873 through the program must be transparent to participants and
874 established by the vendors. The corporation may shall annually
875 assess a surcharge for each premium or price set by a
876 participating vendor. Any The surcharge may not be more than 2.5
877 percent of the price and shall be used to generate funding for
878 administrative services provided by the corporation and payments
879 to buyers’ representatives; however, a surcharge may not be
880 assessed for products and services sold in the FHIX marketplace.
881 (7) THE MARKETPLACE PROCESS.—The program shall provide a
882 single, centralized market for purchase of health insurance,
883 health maintenance contracts, and other health products and
884 services. Purchases may be made by participating individuals
885 over the Internet or through the services of a participating
886 health insurance agent. Information about each product and
887 service available through the program shall be made available
888 through printed material and an interactive Internet website.
889 (a) Marketplace purchasing.—A participant needing personal
890 assistance to select products and services shall be referred to
891 a participating agent in his or her area.
892 1.(a) Participation in the program may begin at any time
893 during a year after the employer completes enrollment and meets
894 the requirements specified by the corporation pursuant to
895 paragraph (4)(c).
896 2.(b) Initial selection of products and services must be
897 made by an individual participant within the applicable open
898 enrollment period.
899 3.(c) Initial enrollment periods for each product selected
900 by an individual participant must last at least 12 months,
901 unless the individual participant specifically agrees to a
902 different enrollment period.
903 4.(d) If an individual has selected one or more products
904 and enrolled in those products for at least 12 months or any
905 other period specifically agreed to by the individual
906 participant, changes in selected products and services may only
907 be made during the annual enrollment period established by the
908 corporation.
909 5.(e) The limits established in subparagraphs 2., 3., and
910 4. paragraphs (b)-(d) apply to any risk-bearing product that
911 promises future payment or coverage for a variable amount of
912 benefits or services. The limits do not apply to initiation of
913 flexible spending plans if those plans are not associated with
914 specific high-deductible insurance policies or the use of
915 spending accounts for any products offering individual
916 participants specific amounts and types of health services and
917 treatments at a contracted price.
918 (b) FHIX marketplace purchasing.—
919 1. Participation in the FHIX marketplace may begin at any
920 time during the year.
921 2. Initial enrollment periods for certain products selected
922 by an individual enrollee which are noncompliant with the
923 Affordable Care Act may be required to last at least 12 months,
924 unless the individual participant specifically agrees to a
925 different enrollment period.
926 (8) CONSUMER INFORMATION.—The corporation shall:
927 (a) Establish a secure website to facilitate the purchase
928 of products and services by participating individuals. The
929 website must provide information about each product or service
930 available through the program.
931 (b) Inform individuals about other public health care
932 programs.
933 (9) RISK POOLING.—The program may use methods for pooling
934 the risk of individual participants and preventing selection
935 bias. These methods may include, but are not limited to, a
936 postenrollment risk adjustment of the premium payments to the
937 vendors. The corporation may establish a methodology for
938 assessing the risk of enrolled individual participants based on
939 data reported annually by the vendors about their enrollees.
940 Distribution of payments to the vendors may be adjusted based on
941 the assessed relative risk profile of the enrollees in each
942 risk-bearing product for the most recent period for which data
943 is available.
944 (10) EXEMPTIONS.—
945 (a) Products, other than the products set forth in
946 subparagraphs (4)(d)1.-4., sold as part of the program are not
947 subject to the licensing requirements of the Florida Insurance
948 Code, as defined in s. 624.01 or the mandated offerings or
949 coverages established in part VI of chapter 627 and chapter 641.
950 (b) The corporation may act as an administrator as defined
951 in s. 626.88 but is not required to be certified pursuant to
952 part VII of chapter 626. However, a third-party third party
953 administrator used by the corporation must be certified under
954 part VII of chapter 626.
955 (c) Any standard forms, website design, or marketing
956 communication developed by the corporation and used by the
957 corporation, or any vendor that meets the requirements of
958 paragraph (4)(f) is not subject to the Florida Insurance Code,
959 as established in s. 624.01.
960 (11) CORPORATION.—There is created the Florida Health
961 Choices, Inc., which shall be registered, incorporated,
962 organized, and operated in compliance with part III of chapter
963 112 and chapters 119, 286, and 617. The purpose of the
964 corporation is to administer the program created in this section
965 and to conduct such other business as may further the
966 administration of the program.
967 (a) The corporation shall be governed by a 15-member board
968 of directors consisting of:
969 1. Three ex officio, nonvoting members to include:
970 a. The Secretary of Health Care Administration or a
971 designee with expertise in health care services.
972 b. The Secretary of Management Services or a designee with
973 expertise in state employee benefits.
974 c. The commissioner of the Office of Insurance Regulation
975 or a designee with expertise in insurance regulation.
976 2. Four members appointed by and serving at the pleasure of
977 the Governor.
978 3. Four members appointed by and serving at the pleasure of
979 the President of the Senate.
980 4. Four members appointed by and serving at the pleasure of
981 the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
982 5. Board members may not include insurers, health insurance
983 agents or brokers, health care providers, health maintenance
984 organizations, prepaid service providers, or any other entity,
985 affiliate, or subsidiary of eligible vendors.
986 (b) Members shall be appointed for terms of up to 3 years.
987 Any member is eligible for reappointment. A vacancy on the board
988 shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the
989 same manner as the original appointment.
990 (c) The board shall select a chief executive officer for
991 the corporation who shall be responsible for the selection of
992 such other staff as may be authorized by the corporation’s
993 operating budget as adopted by the board.
994 (d) Board members are entitled to receive, from funds of
995 the corporation, reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses
996 as provided by s. 112.061. No other compensation is authorized.
997 (e) There is no liability on the part of, and no cause of
998 action shall arise against, any member of the board or its
999 employees or agents for any action taken by them in the
1000 performance of their powers and duties under this section.
1001 (f) The board shall develop and adopt bylaws and other
1002 corporate procedures as necessary for the operation of the
1003 corporation and carrying out the purposes of this section. The
1004 bylaws shall:
1005 1. Specify procedures for selection of officers and
1006 qualifications for reappointment, provided that no board member
1007 shall serve more than 9 consecutive years.
1008 2. Require an annual membership meeting that provides an
1009 opportunity for input and interaction with individual
1010 participants in the program.
1011 3. Specify policies and procedures regarding conflicts of
1012 interest, including the provisions of part III of chapter 112,
1013 which prohibit a member from participating in any decision that
1014 would inure to the benefit of the member or the organization
1015 that employs the member. The policies and procedures shall also
1016 require public disclosure of the interest that prevents the
1017 member from participating in a decision on a particular matter.
1018 (g) The corporation may exercise all powers granted to it
1019 under chapter 617 necessary to carry out the purposes of this
1020 section, including, but not limited to, the power to receive and
1021 accept grants, loans, or advances of funds from any public or
1022 private agency and to receive and accept from any source
1023 contributions of money, property, labor, or any other thing of
1024 value to be held, used, and applied for the purposes of this
1025 section.
1026 (h) The corporation may establish technical advisory panels
1027 consisting of interested parties, including consumers, health
1028 care providers, individuals with expertise in insurance
1029 regulation, and insurers.
1030 (i) The corporation shall:
1031 1. Determine eligibility of employers, vendors,
1032 individuals, and agents in accordance with subsection (4).
1033 2. Establish procedures necessary for the operation of the
1034 program, including, but not limited to, procedures for
1035 application, enrollment, risk assessment, risk adjustment, plan
1036 administration, performance monitoring, and consumer education.
1037 3. Arrange for collection of contributions from
1038 participating employers, third parties, governmental entities,
1039 and individuals.
1040 4. Arrange for payment of premiums and other appropriate
1041 disbursements based on the selections of products and services
1042 by the individual participants.
1043 5. Establish criteria for disenrollment of participating
1044 individuals based on failure to pay the individual’s share of
1045 any contribution required to maintain enrollment in selected
1046 products.
1047 6. Establish criteria for exclusion of vendors pursuant to
1048 paragraph (4)(d).
1049 7. Develop and implement a plan for promoting public
1050 awareness of and participation in the program.
1051 8. Secure staff and consultant services necessary to the
1052 operation of the program.
1053 9. Establish policies and procedures regarding
1054 participation in the program for individuals, vendors, health
1055 insurance agents, and employers.
1056 10. Provide for the operation of a toll-free hotline to
1057 respond to requests for assistance.
1058 11. Provide for initial, open, and special enrollment
1059 periods.
1060 12. Evaluate options for employer participation which may
1061 conform to with common insurance practices.
1062 13. Administer the Florida Health Insurance Affordability
1063 Exchange Program in accordance with ss. 409.72-409.731.
1064 14. Coordinate with the Agency for Health Care
1065 Administration, the Department of Children and Families, and the
1066 Florida Healthy Kids Corporation in developing and implementing
1067 the enrollee transition plan.
1068 15. Coordinate with the federal exchange to provide FHIX
1069 enrollees with the option of selecting plans from either the
1070 FHIX marketplace or the federal exchange.
1071 (12) REPORT.—The board of the corporation shall Beginning
1072 in the 2009-2010 fiscal year, submit by February 1 an annual
1073 report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
1074 Speaker of the House of Representatives documenting the
1075 corporation’s activities in compliance with the duties
1076 delineated in this section.
1077 (13) PROGRAM INTEGRITY.—To ensure program integrity and to
1078 safeguard the financial transactions made under the auspices of
1079 the program, the corporation is authorized to establish
1080 qualifying criteria and certification procedures for vendors,
1081 require performance bonds or other guarantees of ability to
1082 complete contractual obligations, monitor the performance of
1083 vendors, and enforce the agreements of the program through
1084 financial penalty or disqualification from the program.
1085 (14) EXEMPTION FROM PUBLIC RECORDS REQUIREMENTS.—
1086 (a) Definitions.—For purposes of this subsection, the term:
1087 1. “Buyer’s representative” means a participating insurance
1088 agent as described in paragraph (4)(g).
1089 2. “Enrollee” means an employer who is eligible to enroll
1090 in the program pursuant to paragraph (4)(a).
1091 3. “Participant” means an individual who is eligible to
1092 participate in the program pursuant to paragraph (4)(b).
1093 4. “Proprietary confidential business information” means
1094 information, regardless of form or characteristics, that is
1095 owned or controlled by a vendor requesting confidentiality under
1096 this section; that is intended to be and is treated by the
1097 vendor as private in that the disclosure of the information
1098 would cause harm to the business operations of the vendor; that
1099 has not been disclosed unless disclosed pursuant to a statutory
1100 provision, an order of a court or administrative body, or a
1101 private agreement providing that the information may be released
1102 to the public; and that is information concerning:
1103 a. Business plans.
1104 b. Internal auditing controls and reports of internal
1105 auditors.
1106 c. Reports of external auditors for privately held
1107 companies.
1108 d. Client and customer lists.
1109 e. Potentially patentable material.
1110 f. A trade secret as defined in s. 688.002.
1111 5. “Vendor” means a participating insurer or other provider
1112 of services as described in paragraph (4)(d).
1113 (b) Public record exemptions.—
1114 1. Personal identifying information of an enrollee or
1115 participant who has applied for or participates in the Florida
1116 Health Choices Program is confidential and exempt from s.
1117 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
1118 2. Client and customer lists of a buyer’s representative
1119 held by the corporation are confidential and exempt from s.
1120 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
1121 3. Proprietary confidential business information held by
1122 the corporation is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and
1123 s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
1124 (c) Retroactive application.—The public record exemptions
1125 provided for in paragraph (b) apply to information held by the
1126 corporation before, on, or after the effective date of this
1127 exemption.
1128 (d) Authorized release.—
1129 1. Upon request, information made confidential and exempt
1130 pursuant to this subsection shall be disclosed to:
1131 a. Another governmental entity in the performance of its
1132 official duties and responsibilities.
1133 b. Any person who has the written consent of the program
1134 applicant.
1135 c. The Florida Kidcare program for the purpose of
1136 administering the program authorized in ss. 409.810-409.821.
1137 2. Paragraph (b) does not prohibit a participant’s legal
1138 guardian from obtaining confirmation of coverage, dates of
1139 coverage, the name of the participant’s health plan, and the
1140 amount of premium being paid.
1141 (e) Penalty.—A person who knowingly and willfully violates
1142 this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the second degree,
1143 punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
1144 Section 19. Subsection (2) of section 409.904, Florida
1145 Statutes, is amended to read:
1146 409.904 Optional payments for eligible persons.—The agency
1147 may make payments for medical assistance and related services on
1148 behalf of the following persons who are determined to be
1149 eligible subject to the income, assets, and categorical
1150 eligibility tests set forth in federal and state law. Payment on
1151 behalf of these Medicaid eligible persons is subject to the
1152 availability of moneys and any limitations established by the
1153 General Appropriations Act or chapter 216.
1154 (2) A family, a pregnant woman, a child under age 21, a
1155 person age 65 or over, or a blind or disabled person, who would
1156 be eligible under any group listed in s. 409.903(1), (2), or
1157 (3), except that the income or assets of such family or person
1158 exceed established limitations. For a family or person in one of
1159 these coverage groups, medical expenses are deductible from
1160 income in accordance with federal requirements in order to make
1161 a determination of eligibility. A family or person eligible
1162 under the coverage known as the “medically needy,” is eligible
1163 to receive the same services as other Medicaid recipients, with
1164 the exception of services in skilled nursing facilities and
1165 intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled.
1166 Effective July 1, 2020, persons eligible under “medically needy”
1167 shall be limited to children under 21 years of age and pregnant
1168 women. This subsection expires October 1, 2023.
1169 Section 20. Section 624.91, Florida Statutes, is amended to
1170 read:
1171 624.91 The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation Act.—
1172 (1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “William
1173 G. ‘Doc’ Myers Healthy Kids Corporation Act.”
1174 (2) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—
1175 (a) The Legislature finds that increased access to health
1176 care services could improve children’s health and reduce the
1177 incidence and costs of childhood illness and disabilities among
1178 children in this state. Many children do not have comprehensive,
1179 affordable health care services available. It is the intent of
1180 the Legislature that the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation
1181 provide comprehensive health insurance coverage to such
1182 children. The corporation is encouraged to cooperate with any
1183 existing health service programs funded by the public or the
1184 private sector.
1185 (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the Florida
1186 Healthy Kids Corporation serve as one of several providers of
1187 services to children eligible for medical assistance under Title
1188 XXI of the Social Security Act. Although the corporation may
1189 serve other children, the Legislature intends the primary
1190 recipients of services provided through the corporation be
1191 school-age children with a family income below 200 percent of
1192 the federal poverty level, who do not qualify for Medicaid. It
1193 is also the intent of the Legislature that state and local
1194 government Florida Healthy Kids funds be used to continue
1195 coverage, subject to specific appropriations in the General
1196 Appropriations Act, to children not eligible for federal
1197 matching funds under Title XXI.
1198 (3) ELIGIBILITY FOR STATE-FUNDED ASSISTANCE.—Only residents
1199 of this state are eligible the following individuals are
1200 eligible for state-funded assistance in paying Florida Healthy
1201 Kids premiums pursuant to s. 409.814.:
1202 (a) Residents of this state who are eligible for the
1203 Florida Kidcare program pursuant to s. 409.814.
1204 (b) Notwithstanding s. 409.814, a legal alien who is
1205 enrolled in the Florida Healthy Kids program as of January 31,
1206 2004, who does not qualify for Title XXI federal funds because
1207 he or she is not a lawfully residing child as defined in s.
1208 409.811.
1209 (4) NONENTITLEMENT.—Nothing in this section shall be
1210 construed as providing an individual with an entitlement to
1211 health care services. No cause of action shall arise against the
1212 state, the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation, or a unit of local
1213 government for failure to make health services available under
1214 this section.
1215 (5) CORPORATION AUTHORIZATION, DUTIES, POWERS.—
1216 (a) There is created the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation,
1217 a not-for-profit corporation.
1218 (b) The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation shall:
1219 1. Arrange for the collection of any individual, family,
1220 local contributions, or employer payment or premium, in an
1221 amount to be determined by the board of directors, to provide
1222 for payment of premiums for comprehensive insurance coverage and
1223 for the actual or estimated administrative expenses.
1224 2. Arrange for the collection of any voluntary
1225 contributions to provide for payment of Florida Kidcare program
1226 or Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange Program
1227 (FHIX) premiums for children who are not eligible for medical
1228 assistance under Title XIX or Title XXI of the Social Security
1229 Act.
1230 3. Subject to the provisions of s. 409.8134, accept
1231 voluntary supplemental local match contributions that comply
1232 with the requirements of Title XXI of the Social Security Act
1233 for the purpose of providing additional Florida Kidcare coverage
1234 in contributing counties under Title XXI.
1235 4. Establish the administrative and accounting procedures
1236 for the operation of the corporation.
1237 4.5. Establish, with consultation from appropriate
1238 professional organizations, standards for preventive health
1239 services and providers and comprehensive insurance benefits
1240 appropriate to children, provided that such standards for rural
1241 areas shall not limit primary care providers to board-certified
1242 pediatricians.
1243 5.6. Determine eligibility for children seeking to
1244 participate in the Title XXI-funded components of the Florida
1245 Kidcare program consistent with the requirements specified in s.
1246 409.814, as well as the non-Title-XXI-eligible children as
1247 provided in subsection (3).
1248 6.7. Establish procedures under which providers of local
1249 match to, applicants to and participants in the program may have
1250 grievances reviewed by an impartial body and reported to the
1251 board of directors of the corporation.
1252 7.8. Establish participation criteria and, if appropriate,
1253 contract with an authorized insurer, health maintenance
1254 organization, or third-party administrator to provide
1255 administrative services to the corporation.
1256 8.9. Establish enrollment criteria that include penalties
1257 or waiting periods of 30 days for reinstatement of coverage upon
1258 voluntary cancellation for nonpayment of family or individual
1259 premiums.
1260 9.10. Contract with authorized insurers or any provider of
1261 health care services, meeting standards established by the
1262 corporation, for the provision of comprehensive insurance
1263 coverage to participants. Such standards shall include criteria
1264 under which the corporation may contract with more than one
1265 provider of health care services in program sites.
1266 a. Health plans shall be selected through a competitive bid
1267 process. The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation shall purchase
1268 goods and services in the most cost-effective manner consistent
1269 with the delivery of quality medical care.
1270 b. The maximum administrative cost for a Florida Healthy
1271 Kids Corporation contract shall be 15 percent. For health and
1272 dental care contracts, the minimum medical loss ratio for a
1273 Florida Healthy Kids Corporation contract shall be 85 percent.
1274 The calculations must use uniform financial data collected from
1275 all plans in a format established by the corporation and shall
1276 be computed for each plan on a statewide basis. Funds shall be
1277 classified in a manner consistent with 45 C.F.R. part 158 For
1278 dental contracts, the remaining compensation to be paid to the
1279 authorized insurer or provider under a Florida Healthy Kids
1280 Corporation contract shall be no less than an amount which is 85
1281 percent of premium; to the extent any contract provision does
1282 not provide for this minimum compensation, this section shall
1283 prevail.
1284 c. The health plan selection criteria and scoring system,
1285 and the scoring results, shall be available upon request for
1286 inspection after the bids have been awarded.
1287 d. Effective July 1, 2020, health and dental services
1288 contracts of the corporation must transition to the FHIX
1289 marketplace under s. 409.722. Qualifying plans may enroll as
1290 vendors with the FHIX marketplace to maintain continuity of care
1291 for participants.
1292 10.11. Establish disenrollment criteria in the event local
1293 matching funds are insufficient to cover enrollments.
1294 11.12. Develop and implement a plan to publicize the
1295 Florida Kidcare program, the eligibility requirements of the
1296 program, and the procedures for enrollment in the program and to
1297 maintain public awareness of the corporation and the program.
1298 12.13. Secure staff necessary to properly administer the
1299 corporation. Staff costs shall be funded from state and local
1300 matching funds and such other private or public funds as become
1301 available. The board of directors shall determine the number of
1302 staff members necessary to administer the corporation.
1303 13.14. In consultation with the partner agencies, provide a
1304 report on the Florida Kidcare program annually to the Governor,
1305 the Chief Financial Officer, the Commissioner of Education, the
1306 President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
1307 Representatives, and the Minority Leaders of the Senate and the
1308 House of Representatives.
1309 14.15. Provide information on a quarterly basis online to
1310 the Legislature and the Governor which compares the costs and
1311 utilization of the full-pay enrolled population and the Title
1312 XXI-subsidized enrolled population in the Florida Kidcare
1313 program. The information, at a minimum, must include:
1314 a. The monthly enrollment and expenditure for full-pay
1315 enrollees in the Medikids and Florida Healthy Kids programs
1316 compared to the Title XXI-subsidized enrolled population; and
1317 b. The costs and utilization by service of the full-pay
1318 enrollees in the Medikids and Florida Healthy Kids programs and
1319 the Title XXI-subsidized enrolled population.
1320 15.16. Establish benefit packages that conform to the
1321 provisions of the Florida Kidcare program, as created in ss.
1322 409.810-409.821.
1323 16. Contract with other insurance affordability programs to
1324 provide such services that are consistent with this act.
1325 17. Annually develop performance metrics for the following
1326 focus areas:
1327 a. Administrative functions.
1328 b. Contracting with vendors.
1329 c. Customer service.
1330 d. Enrollee education.
1331 e. Financial services.
1332 f. Program integrity.
1333 (c) Coverage under the corporation’s program is secondary
1334 to any other available private coverage held by, or applicable
1335 to, the participant child or family member. Insurers under
1336 contract with the corporation are the payors of last resort and
1337 must coordinate benefits with any other third-party payor that
1338 may be liable for the participant’s medical care.
1339 (d) The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation shall be a private
1340 corporation not for profit, organized pursuant to chapter 617,
1341 and shall have all powers necessary to carry out the purposes of
1342 this act, including, but not limited to, the power to receive
1343 and accept grants, loans, or advances of funds from any public
1344 or private agency and to receive and accept from any source
1345 contributions of money, property, labor, or any other thing of
1346 value, to be held, used, and applied for the purposes of this
1347 act.
1348 (6) BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT SUPERVISION.—
1349 (a) The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation shall operate
1350 subject to the supervision and approval of a board of directors.
1351 The board chair shall be an appointee designated by the
1352 Governor, and the board shall be chaired by the Chief Financial
1353 Officer or her or his designee, and composed of 12 other
1354 members. The Senate shall confirm the designated chair and other
1355 board appointees. The board members shall be appointed selected
1356 for 3-year terms. of office as follows:
1357 1. The Secretary of Health Care Administration, or his or
1358 her designee.
1359 2. One member appointed by the Commissioner of Education
1360 from the Office of School Health Programs of the Florida
1361 Department of Education.
1362 3. One member appointed by the Chief Financial Officer from
1363 among three members nominated by the Florida Pediatric Society.
1364 4. One member, appointed by the Governor, who represents
1365 the Children’s Medical Services Program.
1366 5. One member appointed by the Chief Financial Officer from
1367 among three members nominated by the Florida Hospital
1368 Association.
1369 6. One member, appointed by the Governor, who is an expert
1370 on child health policy.
1371 7. One member, appointed by the Chief Financial Officer,
1372 from among three members nominated by the Florida Academy of
1373 Family Physicians.
1374 8. One member, appointed by the Governor, who represents
1375 the state Medicaid program.
1376 9. One member, appointed by the Chief Financial Officer,
1377 from among three members nominated by the Florida Association of
1378 Counties.
1379 10. The State Health Officer or her or his designee.
1380 11. The Secretary of Children and Families, or his or her
1381 designee.
1382 12. One member, appointed by the Governor, from among three
1383 members nominated by the Florida Dental Association.
1384 (b) A member of the board of directors shall be appointed
1385 by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor may be removed by
1386 the official who appointed that member. The board shall appoint
1387 an executive director, who is responsible for other staff
1388 authorized by the board.
1389 (c) Board members are entitled to receive, from funds of
1390 the corporation, reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses
1391 as provided by s. 112.061.
1392 (d) There shall be no liability on the part of, and no
1393 cause of action shall arise against, any member of the board of
1394 directors, or its employees or agents, for any action they take
1395 in the performance of their powers and duties under this act.
1396 (e) Terms for board members appointed under this act are
1397 effective January 1, 2020.
1398 (7) LICENSING NOT REQUIRED; FISCAL OPERATION.—
1399 (a) The corporation shall not be deemed an insurer. The
1400 officers, directors, and employees of the corporation shall not
1401 be deemed to be agents of an insurer. Neither the corporation
1402 nor any officer, director, or employee of the corporation is
1403 subject to the licensing requirements of the insurance code or
1404 the rules of the Department of Financial Services. However, any
1405 marketing representative utilized and compensated by the
1406 corporation must be appointed as a representative of the
1407 insurers or health services providers with which the corporation
1408 contracts.
1409 (b) The board has complete fiscal control over the
1410 corporation and is responsible for all corporate operations.
1411 (c) The Department of Financial Services shall supervise
1412 any liquidation or dissolution of the corporation and shall
1413 have, with respect to such liquidation or dissolution, all power
1414 granted to it pursuant to the insurance code.
1415 (8) TRANSITION PLANS.—The corporation shall confer with the
1416 Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of
1417 Children and Families, and Florida Health Choices, Inc., to
1418 develop transition plans for the Florida Health Insurance
1419 Affordability Exchange Program as created under ss. 409.72
1420 409.731.
1421 Section 21. Section 624.915, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
1422 Section 22. The Division of Law Revision and Information is
1423 directed to replace the phrase “the effective date of this act”
1424 wherever it occurs in this act with the date the act becomes a
1425 law.
1426 Section 23. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
1427
1428 ================= T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ================
1429 And the title is amended as follows:
1430 Delete lines 2 - 30
1431 and insert:
1432 An act relating to health care coverage; creating ss.
1433 627.6046 and 627.65612, F.S.; defining the terms
1434 “operative date” and “preexisting medical condition”
1435 with respect to individual and group health insurance
1436 policies, respectively; requiring insurers, contingent
1437 upon the occurrence of either of two specified events,
1438 to make at least one comprehensive major medical
1439 health insurance policy available to all residents of
1440 this state within a specified timeframe; prohibiting
1441 such insurers from excluding, limiting, denying, or
1442 delaying coverage under such policies due to
1443 preexisting medical conditions; requiring such
1444 policies to have been actively marketed on a specified
1445 date and during a certain timeframe before that date;
1446 providing applicability; amending s. 641.31, F.S.;
1447 defining the terms “operative date” and “preexisting
1448 medical condition” with respect to health maintenance
1449 contracts; requiring health maintenance organizations,
1450 contingent upon the occurrence of either of two
1451 specified events, to make at least one comprehensive
1452 major medical health maintenance contract available to
1453 all residents of this state within a specified
1454 timeframe; prohibiting such health maintenance
1455 organizations from excluding, limiting, denying, or
1456 delaying coverage under such contracts due to
1457 preexisting medical conditions; requiring such
1458 contracts to have been actively marketed on a
1459 specified date and during a certain timeframe before
1460 that date; providing a directive to the Division of
1461 Law Revision and Information; creating s. 409.72,
1462 F.S.; providing a short title; creating s. 409.721,
1463 F.S.; creating the Florida Health Insurance
1464 Affordability Exchange Program (FHIX) within the
1465 Agency for Health Care Administration; providing
1466 program authority and principles; creating s. 409.722,
1467 F.S.; defining terms; creating s. 409.723, F.S.;
1468 providing eligibility and enrollment criteria;
1469 providing patient rights and responsibilities;
1470 defining the term “disabled”; providing premium
1471 levels; creating s. 409.724, F.S.; providing for
1472 premium credits and choice counseling; establishing an
1473 education campaign; providing for customer support and
1474 disenrollment; creating s. 409.725, F.S.; providing
1475 for available products and services; creating s.
1476 409.726, F.S.; requiring the department to develop
1477 accountability measures and performance standards
1478 governing the administration of the program; creating
1479 s. 409.727, F.S.; providing for a readiness review and
1480 a two-phase implementation schedule; creating s.
1481 409.728, F.S.; providing program operation and
1482 management duties; creating s. 409.729, F.S.;
1483 providing for the development of a long-term
1484 reorganization plan and the formation of the FHIX
1485 Workgroup; creating s. 409.73, F.S.; authorizing the
1486 agency to seek federal approval; prohibiting the
1487 agency from implementing the FHIX waiver under certain
1488 circumstances; creating s. 409.731, F.S.; providing
1489 for program expiration; providing for the
1490 establishment of a commission; providing purposes and
1491 duties of the commission and for the appointment of
1492 members; requiring a commission report to be submitted
1493 to the Governor and the Legislature; repealing s.
1494 408.70, F.S., relating to legislative findings
1495 regarding access to affordable health care; amending
1496 s. 408.910, F.S.; revising legislative intent;
1497 redefining terms; revising the scope of the Florida
1498 Health Choices Program and the pricing of services
1499 under the program; providing requirements for
1500 operation of the marketplace; providing additional
1501 duties for the corporation to perform; requiring an
1502 annual report to the Governor and the Legislature;
1503 amending s. 409.904, F.S.; limiting eligible persons
1504 in the Medically Needy program to those under the age
1505 of 21 and pregnant women, and specifying an effective
1506 date; providing an expiration date for the program;
1507 amending s. 624.91, F.S.; revising eligibility
1508 requirements for state-funded assistance; revising the
1509 duties and powers of the Florida Healthy Kids
1510 Corporation; revising provisions for the appointment
1511 of members of the board of the Florida Healthy Kids
1512 Corporation; requiring transition plans; repealing s.
1513 624.915, F.S., relating to the operating fund of the
1514 Florida Healthy Kids Corporation; providing a
1515 directive to the Division of Law Revision and
1516 Information; providing an effective date.