Florida Senate - 2025                                    SB 1342
       
       
        
       By Senator Rodriguez
       
       
       
       
       
       40-00837A-25                                          20251342__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to insurer disclosures on prescription
    3         drug coverage; creating s. 627.42394, F.S.; requiring
    4         individual and group health insurers to provide notice
    5         of prescription drug formulary changes within a
    6         certain timeframe to current and prospective insureds
    7         and the insureds’ treating physicians; specifying
    8         requirements for the content of such notice and the
    9         manner in which it must be provided; specifying
   10         requirements for a notice of medical necessity
   11         submitted by the treating physician; authorizing
   12         insurers to provide certain means for submitting the
   13         notice of medical necessity; requiring the Financial
   14         Services Commission to adopt a certain form by rule by
   15         a specified date; specifying a coverage requirement
   16         and restrictions on coverage modification by insurers
   17         receiving a notice of medical necessity; providing
   18         construction and applicability; requiring insurers to
   19         maintain a record of formulary changes; requiring
   20         insurers to annually submit a specified report to the
   21         Office of Insurance Regulation by a specified date;
   22         requiring the office to annually compile certain data
   23         and prepare a report, make the report publicly
   24         accessible on its website, and submit the report to
   25         the Governor and the Legislature by a specified date;
   26         creating s. 627.6383, F.S.; defining the term “cost
   27         sharing requirement”; requiring specified individual
   28         health insurers and their pharmacy benefit managers to
   29         apply payments for prescription drugs by or on behalf
   30         of insureds toward the total contributions of the
   31         insureds’ cost-sharing requirements under certain
   32         circumstances; providing construction; requiring
   33         specified individual health insurers to maintain
   34         records of certain third-party payments for
   35         prescription drugs; providing reporting requirements;
   36         providing requirements for the reports; providing
   37         applicability; amending s. 627.6385, F.S.; providing
   38         disclosure requirements; providing applicability;
   39         amending s. 627.64741, F.S.; requiring specified
   40         contracts to require pharmacy benefit managers to
   41         apply payments by or on behalf of insureds toward the
   42         insureds’ total contributions to cost-sharing
   43         requirements; providing applicability; providing
   44         disclosure requirements; creating s. 627.65715, F.S.;
   45         defining the term “cost-sharing requirement”;
   46         requiring specified group health insurers and their
   47         pharmacy benefit managers to apply payments for
   48         prescription drugs by or on behalf of insureds toward
   49         the total contributions of the insureds’ cost-sharing
   50         requirements under certain circumstances; providing
   51         construction; providing disclosure requirements;
   52         requiring specified group health insurers to maintain
   53         records of certain third-party payments for
   54         prescription drugs; providing reporting requirements;
   55         providing requirements for the reports; providing
   56         applicability; amending s. 627.6572, F.S.; requiring
   57         specified contracts to require pharmacy benefit
   58         managers to apply payments by or on behalf of insureds
   59         toward the insureds’ total contributions to cost
   60         sharing requirements; providing applicability;
   61         providing disclosure requirements; amending s.
   62         627.6699, F.S.; requiring small employer carriers to
   63         comply with certain requirements for prescription drug
   64         formulary changes; amending s. 641.31, F.S.; providing
   65         an exception to requirements relating to changes in a
   66         health maintenance organization’s group contract;
   67         requiring health maintenance organizations to provide
   68         notice of prescription drug formulary changes within a
   69         certain timeframe to current and prospective
   70         subscribers and the subscribers’ treating physicians;
   71         specifying requirements for the content of such notice
   72         and the manner in which it must be provided;
   73         specifying requirements for a notice of medical
   74         necessity submitted by the treating physician;
   75         authorizing health maintenance organizations to
   76         provide certain means for submitting the notice of
   77         medical necessity; requiring the commission to adopt a
   78         certain form by rule by a specified date; specifying a
   79         coverage requirement and restrictions on coverage
   80         modification by health maintenance organizations
   81         receiving a notice of medical necessity; providing
   82         construction and applicability; requiring health
   83         maintenance organizations to maintain a record of
   84         formulary changes; requiring health maintenance
   85         organizations to annually submit a specified report to
   86         the office by a specified date; requiring the office
   87         to annually compile certain data and prepare a report,
   88         make the report publicly accessible on its website,
   89         and submit the report to the Governor and the
   90         Legislature by a specified date; defining the term
   91         “cost-sharing requirement”; requiring specified health
   92         maintenance organizations and their pharmacy benefit
   93         managers to apply payments for prescription drugs by
   94         or on behalf of subscribers toward the total
   95         contributions of the subscribers’ cost-sharing
   96         requirements under certain circumstances; providing
   97         construction; providing disclosure requirements;
   98         requiring specified health maintenance organizations
   99         to maintain records of certain third-party payments
  100         for prescription drugs; providing reporting
  101         requirements; providing requirements for the reports;
  102         providing applicability; amending s. 641.314, F.S.;
  103         requiring specified contracts to require pharmacy
  104         benefit managers to apply payments by or on behalf of
  105         subscribers toward the subscribers’ total
  106         contributions to cost-sharing requirements; providing
  107         applicability; providing disclosure requirements;
  108         amending s. 409.967, F.S.; conforming a cross
  109         reference; amending s. 641.185, F.S.; conforming a
  110         provision to changes made by the act; providing
  111         applicability; providing a declaration of important
  112         state interest; providing an effective date.
  113          
  114  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
  115  
  116         Section 1. Section 627.42394, Florida Statutes, is created
  117  to read:
  118         627.42394Health insurance policies; changes to
  119  prescription drug formularies; requirements.—
  120         (1)At least 60 days before the effective date of any
  121  change to a prescription drug formulary during a policy year, an
  122  insurer issuing individual or group health insurance policies in
  123  the state shall notify:
  124         (a)Current and prospective insureds of the change in the
  125  formulary in a readily accessible format on the insurer’s
  126  website; and
  127         (b)Any insured currently receiving coverage for a
  128  prescription drug for which the formulary change modifies
  129  coverage and the insured’s treating physician. Such notification
  130  must be sent electronically and by first-class mail and must
  131  include information on the specific drugs involved and a
  132  statement that the submission of a notice of medical necessity
  133  by the insured’s treating physician to the insurer at least 30
  134  days before the effective date of the formulary change will
  135  result in continuation of coverage at the existing level.
  136         (2)The notice provided by the treating physician to the
  137  insurer must include a completed one-page form in which the
  138  treating physician certifies to the insurer that the
  139  prescription drug for the insured is medically necessary as
  140  defined in s. 627.732(2). The treating physician shall submit
  141  the notice electronically or by first-class mail. The insurer
  142  may provide the treating physician with access to an electronic
  143  portal through which the treating physician may electronically
  144  submit the notice. By January 1, 2026, the commission shall
  145  adopt by rule a form for the notice.
  146         (3)If the treating physician certifies to the insurer in
  147  accordance with subsection (2) that the prescription drug is
  148  medically necessary for the insured, the insurer:
  149         (a)Must authorize coverage for the prescribed drug until
  150  the end of the policy year, based solely on the treating
  151  physician’s certification that the drug is medically necessary;
  152  and
  153         (b)May not modify the coverage related to the covered drug
  154  during the policy year by:
  155         1.Increasing the out-of-pocket costs for the covered drug;
  156         2.Moving the covered drug to a more restrictive tier;
  157         3.Denying an insured coverage of the drug for which the
  158  insured has been previously approved for coverage by the
  159  insurer; or
  160         4.Limiting or reducing coverage of the drug in any other
  161  way, including subjecting it to a new prior authorization or
  162  step-therapy requirement.
  163         (4)Subsections (1), (2), and (3) do not:
  164         (a)Prohibit the addition of prescription drugs to the list
  165  of drugs covered under the policy during the policy year.
  166         (b)Apply to a grandfathered health plan as defined in s.
  167  627.402 or to benefits specified in s. 627.6513(1)-(14).
  168         (c)Alter or amend s. 465.025, which provides conditions
  169  under which a pharmacist may substitute a generically equivalent
  170  drug product for a brand name drug product.
  171         (d)Alter or amend s. 465.0252, which provides conditions
  172  under which a pharmacist may dispense a substitute biological
  173  product for the prescribed biological product.
  174         (e)Apply to a Medicaid managed care plan under part IV of
  175  chapter 409.
  176         (5)A health insurer shall maintain a record of any change
  177  in its formulary during a calendar year. By March 1 of each
  178  year, a health insurer shall submit to the office a report
  179  delineating such changes made in the previous calendar year. The
  180  annual report must include, at a minimum:
  181         (a)A list of all drugs removed from the formulary, along
  182  with the date of the removal and the reasons for the removal.
  183         (b)A list of all drugs moved to a tier resulting in
  184  additional out-of-pocket costs to insureds.
  185         (c)The number of insureds impacted by a change in the
  186  formulary.
  187         (d)The number of insureds notified by the insurer of a
  188  change in the formulary.
  189         (e)The increased cost, by dollar amount, incurred by
  190  insureds because of such change in the formulary.
  191         (6)By May 1 of each year, the office shall:
  192         (a)Compile the data in the annual reports submitted by
  193  health insurers under subsection (5) and prepare a report
  194  summarizing the data submitted.
  195         (b)Make the report publicly accessible on its website.
  196         (c)Submit the report to the Governor, the President of the
  197  Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
  198         Section 2. Section 627.6383, Florida Statutes, is created
  199  to read:
  200         627.6383Cost-sharing requirements.—
  201         (1)As used in this section, the term “cost-sharing
  202  requirement” means a dollar limit, a deductible, a copayment,
  203  coinsurance, or any other out-of-pocket expense imposed on an
  204  insured, including, but not limited to, the annual limitation on
  205  cost sharing subject to 42 U.S.C. s. 18022.
  206         (2)(a)Each health insurer issuing, delivering, or renewing
  207  a policy in this state which provides prescription drug
  208  coverage, or each pharmacy benefit manager on behalf of such
  209  health insurer, shall apply any amount paid for a prescription
  210  drug by an insured or by another person on behalf of the insured
  211  toward the insured’s total contribution to any cost-sharing
  212  requirement, if the prescription drug:
  213         1.Does not have a generic equivalent; or
  214         2.Has a generic equivalent and the insured has obtained
  215  authorization for the prescription drug through any of the
  216  following:
  217         a.Prior authorization from the health insurer or pharmacy
  218  benefit manager.
  219         b.A step-therapy protocol.
  220         c.The exception or appeal process of the health insurer or
  221  pharmacy benefit manager.
  222         (b)The amount paid by or on behalf of the insured which is
  223  applied toward the insured’s total contribution to any cost
  224  sharing requirement under paragraph (a) includes, but is not
  225  limited to, any payment with or any discount through financial
  226  assistance, a manufacturer copay card, a product voucher, or any
  227  other reduction in out-of-pocket expenses made by or on behalf
  228  of the insured for a prescription drug.
  229         (c)1.Each health insurer issuing, delivering, or renewing
  230  a policy in this state which provides prescription drug
  231  coverage, regardless of whether the prescription drug benefits
  232  are administered or managed by the insurer or by a pharmacy
  233  benefit manager on behalf of the insurer, shall maintain a
  234  record of any third-party payments, made or remitted on behalf
  235  of an insured, for prescription drugs, which are not applied to
  236  the insured’s out-of-pocket obligations, including, but not
  237  limited to, deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance.
  238         2.By March 1 of each year, each health insurer issuing,
  239  delivering, or renewing a policy in this state which provides
  240  prescription drug coverage, regardless of whether the
  241  prescription drug benefits are administered or managed by the
  242  insurer or by a pharmacy benefit manager on behalf of the
  243  insurer, shall submit to the office a report delineating third
  244  party payments, as described in subparagraph 1., which were
  245  received in the previous calendar year. The annual report must
  246  include, at a minimum:
  247         a.A list of all payments received by the health insurer,
  248  as described in subparagraph 1., made or remitted by a third
  249  party, which must include:
  250         (I)The date each payment was made.
  251         (II)The prescription drug for which the payment was made.
  252         (III)The reason that the payment was not applied to the
  253  insured’s out-of-pocket obligations.
  254         b.The total amount of payments received by the health
  255  insurer which were not applied to an insured’s out-of-pocket
  256  maximum.
  257         c.The total number of insureds for which a payment was
  258  made which was not applied to an out-of-pocket maximum.
  259         d.Whether such payments were returned to the third party
  260  who submitted the payment.
  261         e.The total amount of payments which were not returned to
  262  the third party who submitted the payment.
  263         (3)This section applies to any health insurance policy
  264  issued, delivered, or renewed in this state on or after January
  265  1, 2026.
  266         Section 3. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 627.6385,
  267  Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (3) and (4),
  268  respectively, present subsection (2) of that section is amended,
  269  and a new subsection (2) is added to that section, to read:
  270         627.6385 Disclosures to policyholders; calculations of cost
  271  sharing.—
  272         (2)Each health insurer issuing, delivering, or renewing a
  273  policy in this state which provides prescription drug coverage,
  274  regardless of whether the prescription drug benefits are
  275  administered or managed by the health insurer or by a pharmacy
  276  benefit manager on behalf of the health insurer, shall disclose
  277  on its website that any amount paid by a policyholder or by
  278  another person on behalf of the policyholder must be applied
  279  toward the policyholder’s total contribution to any cost-sharing
  280  requirement pursuant to s. 627.6383. This subsection applies to
  281  any policy issued, delivered, or renewed in this state on or
  282  after January 1, 2026.
  283         (3)(2) Each health insurer shall include in every policy
  284  delivered or issued for delivery to any person in this the state
  285  or in materials provided as required by s. 627.64725 a notice
  286  that the information required by this section is available
  287  electronically and the website address of the website where the
  288  information can be accessed. In addition, each health insurer
  289  issuing, delivering, or renewing a policy in this state which
  290  provides prescription drug coverage, regardless of whether the
  291  prescription drug benefits are administered or managed by the
  292  health insurer or by a pharmacy benefit manager on behalf of the
  293  health insurer, shall disclose in every policy that is issued,
  294  delivered, or renewed to any person in this state on or after
  295  January 1, 2026, that any amount paid by a policyholder or by
  296  another person on behalf of the policyholder must be applied
  297  toward the policyholder’s total contribution to any cost-sharing
  298  requirement pursuant to s. 627.6383.
  299         Section 4. Paragraph (c) is added to subsection (2) of
  300  section 627.64741, Florida Statutes, to read:
  301         627.64741 Pharmacy benefit manager contracts.—
  302         (2) In addition to the requirements of part VII of chapter
  303  626, a contract between a health insurer and a pharmacy benefit
  304  manager must require that the pharmacy benefit manager:
  305         (c)1.Apply any amount paid by an insured or by another
  306  person on behalf of the insured toward the insured’s total
  307  contribution to any cost-sharing requirement pursuant to s.
  308  627.6383. This subparagraph applies to any insured whose
  309  insurance policy is issued, delivered, or renewed in this state
  310  on or after January 1, 2026.
  311         2.Disclose to every insured whose insurance policy is
  312  issued, delivered, or renewed in this state on or after January
  313  1, 2026, that the pharmacy benefit manager shall apply any
  314  amount paid by the insured or by another person on behalf of the
  315  insured toward the insured’s total contribution to any cost
  316  sharing requirement pursuant to s. 627.6383.
  317         Section 5. Section 627.65715, Florida Statutes, is created
  318  to read:
  319         627.65715Cost-sharing requirements.—
  320         (1)As used in this section, the term “cost-sharing
  321  requirement” means a dollar limit, a deductible, a copayment,
  322  coinsurance, or any other out-of-pocket expense imposed on an
  323  insured, including, but not limited to, the annual limitation on
  324  cost sharing subject to 42 U.S.C. s. 18022.
  325         (2)(a)Each insurer issuing, delivering, or renewing a
  326  policy in this state which provides prescription drug coverage,
  327  or each pharmacy benefit manager on behalf of such insurer,
  328  shall apply any amount paid for a prescription drug by an
  329  insured or by another person on behalf of the insured toward the
  330  insured’s total contribution to any cost-sharing requirement, if
  331  the prescription drug:
  332         1.Does not have a generic equivalent; or
  333         2.Has a generic equivalent and the insured has obtained
  334  authorization for the prescription drug through any of the
  335  following:
  336         a.Prior authorization from the health insurer or pharmacy
  337  benefit manager.
  338         b.A step-therapy protocol.
  339         c.The exception or appeal process of the health insurer or
  340  pharmacy benefit manager.
  341         (b)The amount paid by or on behalf of the insured which is
  342  applied toward the insured’s total contribution to any cost
  343  sharing requirement under paragraph (a) includes, but is not
  344  limited to, any payment with or any discount through financial
  345  assistance, a manufacturer copay card, a product voucher, or any
  346  other reduction in out-of-pocket expenses made by or on behalf
  347  of the insured for a prescription drug.
  348         (3)(a)Each insurer issuing, delivering, or renewing a
  349  policy in this state which provides prescription drug coverage,
  350  regardless of whether the prescription drug benefits are
  351  administered or managed by the insurer or by a pharmacy benefit
  352  manager on behalf of the insurer, shall disclose on its website
  353  and in every policy issued, delivered, or renewed in this state
  354  on or after January 1, 2026, that any amount paid by an insured
  355  or by another person on behalf of the insured must be applied
  356  toward the insured’s total contribution to any cost-sharing
  357  requirement.
  358         (b)1.Each health insurer issuing, delivering, or renewing
  359  a policy in this state which provides prescription drug
  360  coverage, regardless of whether the prescription drug benefits
  361  are administered or managed by the insurer or by a pharmacy
  362  benefit manager on behalf of the insurer, shall maintain a
  363  record of any third-party payments, made or remitted on behalf
  364  of an insured, for prescription drugs, which are not applied to
  365  the insured’s out-of-pocket obligations, including, but not
  366  limited to, deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance.
  367         2.By March 1 of each year, each health insurer issuing,
  368  delivering, or renewing a policy in this state which provides
  369  prescription drug coverage, regardless of whether the
  370  prescription drug benefits are administered or managed by the
  371  insurer or by a pharmacy benefit manager on behalf of the
  372  insurer, shall submit to the office a report delineating third
  373  party payments, as described in subparagraph 1., which were
  374  received in the previous calendar year. The annual report must
  375  include, at a minimum:
  376         a.A list of all payments received by the health insurer,
  377  as described in subparagraph 1., made or remitted by a third
  378  party, which must include:
  379         (I)The date each payment was made.
  380         (II)The prescription drug for which the payment was made.
  381         (III)The reason that the payment was not applied to the
  382  insured’s out-of-pocket obligations.
  383         b.The total amount of payments received by the health
  384  insurer which were not applied to an insured’s out-of-pocket
  385  maximum.
  386         c.The total number of insureds for which a payment was
  387  made which was not applied to an out-of-pocket maximum.
  388         d.Whether such payments were returned to the third party
  389  who submitted the payment.
  390         e.The total amount of payments which were not returned to
  391  the third party who submitted the payment.
  392         (4)This section applies to any group health insurance
  393  policy issued, delivered, or renewed in this state on or after
  394  January 1, 2026.
  395         Section 6. Paragraph (c) is added to subsection (2) of
  396  section 627.6572, Florida Statutes, to read:
  397         627.6572 Pharmacy benefit manager contracts.—
  398         (2) In addition to the requirements of part VII of chapter
  399  626, a contract between a health insurer and a pharmacy benefit
  400  manager must require that the pharmacy benefit manager:
  401         (c)1.Apply any amount paid by an insured or by another
  402  person on behalf of the insured toward the insured’s total
  403  contribution to any cost-sharing requirement pursuant to s.
  404  627.65715. This subparagraph applies to any insured whose
  405  insurance policy is issued, delivered, or renewed in this state
  406  on or after January 1, 2026.
  407         2.Disclose to every insured whose insurance policy is
  408  issued, delivered, or renewed in this state on or after January
  409  1, 2026, that the pharmacy benefit manager shall apply any
  410  amount paid by the insured or by another person on behalf of the
  411  insured toward the insured’s total contribution to any cost
  412  sharing requirement pursuant to s. 627.65715.
  413         Section 7. Paragraph (e) of subsection (5) of section
  414  627.6699, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  415         627.6699 Employee Health Care Access Act.—
  416         (5) AVAILABILITY OF COVERAGE.—
  417         (e) All health benefit plans issued under this section must
  418  comply with the following conditions:
  419         1. For employers who have fewer than two employees, a late
  420  enrollee may be excluded from coverage for no longer than 24
  421  months if he or she was not covered by creditable coverage
  422  continually to a date not more than 63 days before the effective
  423  date of his or her new coverage.
  424         2. Any requirement used by a small employer carrier in
  425  determining whether to provide coverage to a small employer
  426  group, including requirements for minimum participation of
  427  eligible employees and minimum employer contributions, must be
  428  applied uniformly among all small employer groups having the
  429  same number of eligible employees applying for coverage or
  430  receiving coverage from the small employer carrier, except that
  431  a small employer carrier that participates in, administers, or
  432  issues health benefits pursuant to s. 381.0406 which do not
  433  include a preexisting condition exclusion may require as a
  434  condition of offering such benefits that the employer has had no
  435  health insurance coverage for its employees for a period of at
  436  least 6 months. A small employer carrier may vary application of
  437  minimum participation requirements and minimum employer
  438  contribution requirements only by the size of the small employer
  439  group.
  440         3. In applying minimum participation requirements with
  441  respect to a small employer, a small employer carrier may shall
  442  not consider as an eligible employee employees or dependents who
  443  have qualifying existing coverage in an employer-based group
  444  insurance plan or an ERISA qualified self-insurance plan in
  445  determining whether the applicable percentage of participation
  446  is met. However, a small employer carrier may count eligible
  447  employees and dependents who have coverage under another health
  448  plan that is sponsored by that employer.
  449         4. A small employer carrier may shall not increase any
  450  requirement for minimum employee participation or any
  451  requirement for minimum employer contribution applicable to a
  452  small employer at any time after the small employer has been
  453  accepted for coverage, unless the employer size has changed, in
  454  which case the small employer carrier may apply the requirements
  455  that are applicable to the new group size.
  456         5. If a small employer carrier offers coverage to a small
  457  employer, it must offer coverage to all the small employer’s
  458  eligible employees and their dependents. A small employer
  459  carrier may not offer coverage limited to certain persons in a
  460  group or to part of a group, except with respect to late
  461  enrollees.
  462         6. A small employer carrier may not modify any health
  463  benefit plan issued to a small employer with respect to a small
  464  employer or any eligible employee or dependent through riders,
  465  endorsements, or otherwise to restrict or exclude coverage for
  466  certain diseases or medical conditions otherwise covered by the
  467  health benefit plan.
  468         7. An initial enrollment period of at least 30 days must be
  469  provided. An annual 30-day open enrollment period must be
  470  offered to each small employer’s eligible employees and their
  471  dependents. A small employer carrier must provide special
  472  enrollment periods as required by s. 627.65615.
  473         8.A small employer carrier shall comply with s. 627.65715
  474  for any change to a prescription drug formulary.
  475         Section 8. Subsection (36) of section 641.31, Florida
  476  Statutes, is amended, and subsection (48) is added to that
  477  section, to read:
  478         641.31 Health maintenance contracts.—
  479         (36) Except as provided in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), a
  480  health maintenance organization may increase the copayment for
  481  any benefit, or delete, amend, or limit any of the benefits to
  482  which a subscriber is entitled under the group contract only,
  483  upon written notice to the contract holder at least 45 days in
  484  advance of the time of coverage renewal. The health maintenance
  485  organization may amend the contract with the contract holder,
  486  with such amendment to be effective immediately at the time of
  487  coverage renewal. The written notice to the contract holder must
  488  shall specifically identify any deletions, amendments, or
  489  limitations to any of the benefits provided in the group
  490  contract during the current contract period which will be
  491  included in the group contract upon renewal. This subsection
  492  does not apply to any increases in benefits. The 45-day notice
  493  requirement does shall not apply if benefits are amended,
  494  deleted, or limited at the request of the contract holder.
  495         (a)At least 60 days before the effective date of any
  496  change to a prescription drug formulary during a contract year,
  497  a health maintenance organization shall notify:
  498         1.Current and prospective subscribers of the change in the
  499  formulary in a readily accessible format on the health
  500  maintenance organization’s website; and
  501         2.Any subscriber currently receiving coverage for a
  502  prescription drug for which the formulary change modifies
  503  coverage and the subscriber’s treating physician. Such
  504  notification must be sent electronically and by first-class mail
  505  and must include information on the specific drugs involved and
  506  a statement that the submission of a notice of medical necessity
  507  by the subscriber’s treating physician to the health maintenance
  508  organization at least 30 days before the effective date of the
  509  formulary change will result in continuation of coverage at the
  510  existing level.
  511         (b)The notice provided by the treating physician to the
  512  health maintenance organization must include a completed one
  513  page form in which the treating physician certifies to the
  514  health maintenance organization that the prescription drug for
  515  the subscriber is medically necessary as defined in s.
  516  627.732(2). The treating physician shall submit the notice
  517  electronically or by first-class mail. The health maintenance
  518  organization may provide the treating physician with access to
  519  an electronic portal through which the treating physician may
  520  electronically submit the notice. By January 1, 2026, the
  521  commission shall adopt by rule a form for the notice.
  522         (c)If the treating physician certifies to the health
  523  maintenance organization in accordance with paragraph (b) that
  524  the prescription drug is medically necessary for the subscriber,
  525  the health maintenance organization:
  526         1.Must authorize coverage for the prescribed drug until
  527  the end of the contract year, based solely on the treating
  528  physician’s certification that the drug is medically necessary;
  529  and
  530         2.May not modify the coverage related to the covered drug
  531  during the contract year by:
  532         a.Increasing the out-of-pocket costs for the covered drug;
  533         b.Moving the covered drug to a more restrictive tier;
  534         c.Denying a subscriber coverage of the drug for which the
  535  subscriber has been previously approved for coverage by the
  536  health maintenance organization; or
  537         d.Limiting or reducing coverage of the drug in any other
  538  way, including subjecting it to a new prior authorization or
  539  step-therapy requirement.
  540         (d)Paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) do not:
  541         1.Prohibit the addition of prescription drugs to the list
  542  of drugs covered under the contract during the contract year.
  543         2.Apply to a grandfathered health plan as defined in s.
  544  627.402 or to benefits specified in s. 627.6513(1)-(14).
  545         3.Alter or amend s. 465.025, which provides conditions
  546  under which a pharmacist may substitute a generically equivalent
  547  drug product for a brand name drug product.
  548         4.Alter or amend s. 465.0252, which provides conditions
  549  under which a pharmacist may dispense a substitute biological
  550  product for the prescribed biological product.
  551         5.Apply to a Medicaid managed care plan under part IV of
  552  chapter 409.
  553         (e)A health maintenance organization shall maintain a
  554  record of any change in its formulary during a calendar year. By
  555  March 1 of each year, a health maintenance organization shall
  556  submit to the office a report delineating such changes made in
  557  the previous calendar year. The annual report must include, at a
  558  minimum:
  559         1.A list of all drugs removed from the formulary, along
  560  with the date of the removal and the reasons for the removal.
  561         2.A list of all drugs moved to a tier resulting in
  562  additional out-of-pocket costs to subscribers.
  563         3.The number of subscribers impacted by a change in the
  564  formulary.
  565         4.The number of subscribers notified by the health
  566  maintenance organization of a change in the formulary.
  567         5.The increased cost, by dollar amount, incurred by
  568  subscribers because of such change in the formulary.
  569         (f)By May 1 of each year, the office shall:
  570         1.Compile the data in such annual reports submitted by
  571  health maintenance organizations and prepare a report
  572  summarizing the data submitted;
  573         2.Make the report publicly accessible on its website; and
  574         3.Submit the report to the Governor, the President of the
  575  Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
  576         (48)(a)As used in this subsection, the term “cost-sharing
  577  requirement” means a dollar limit, a deductible, a copayment,
  578  coinsurance, or any other out-of-pocket expense imposed on a
  579  subscriber, including, but not limited to, the annual limitation
  580  on cost sharing subject to 42 U.S.C. s. 18022.
  581         (b)1.Each health maintenance organization issuing,
  582  delivering, or renewing a health maintenance contract or
  583  certificate in this state which provides prescription drug
  584  coverage, or each pharmacy benefit manager on behalf of such
  585  health maintenance organization, shall apply any amount paid for
  586  a prescription drug by a subscriber or by another person on
  587  behalf of the subscriber toward the subscriber’s total
  588  contribution to any cost-sharing requirement if the prescription
  589  drug:
  590         a.Does not have a generic equivalent; or
  591         b.Has a generic equivalent and the subscriber has obtained
  592  authorization for the prescription drug through any of the
  593  following:
  594         (I)Prior authorization from the health maintenance
  595  organization or pharmacy benefit manager.
  596         (II)A step-therapy protocol.
  597         (III)The exception or appeal process of the health
  598  maintenance organization or pharmacy benefit manager.
  599         2.The amount paid by or on behalf of the subscriber which
  600  is applied toward the subscriber’s total contribution to any
  601  cost-sharing requirement under subparagraph 1. includes, but is
  602  not limited to, any payment with or any discount through
  603  financial assistance, a manufacturer copay card, a product
  604  voucher, or any other reduction in out-of-pocket expenses made
  605  by or on behalf of the subscriber for a prescription drug.
  606         (c)Each health maintenance organization issuing,
  607  delivering, or renewing a health maintenance contract or
  608  certificate in this state which provides prescription drug
  609  coverage, regardless of whether the prescription drug benefits
  610  are administered or managed by the health maintenance
  611  organization or by a pharmacy benefit manager on behalf of the
  612  health maintenance organization, shall disclose on its website
  613  and in every subscriber’s health maintenance contract,
  614  certificate, or member handbook issued, delivered, or renewed in
  615  this state on or after January 1, 2026, that any amount paid by
  616  a subscriber or by another person on behalf of the subscriber
  617  must be applied toward the subscriber’s total contribution to
  618  any cost-sharing requirement.
  619         (d)1.A health maintenance organization issuing,
  620  delivering, or renewing a health maintenance contract or
  621  certificate in this state which provides prescription drug
  622  coverage, regardless of whether the prescription drug benefits
  623  are administered or managed by the health maintenance
  624  organization or by a pharmacy benefit manager on behalf of the
  625  health maintenance organization, shall maintain a record of any
  626  third-party payments, made or remitted on behalf of a
  627  subscriber, for prescription drugs, which are not applied to the
  628  subscriber’s out-of-pocket obligations, including, but not
  629  limited to, deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance.
  630         2.By March 1 of each year, a health maintenance
  631  organization shall submit to the office a report delineating
  632  third-party payments, as described in subparagraph 1., which
  633  were received in the previous calendar year. The annual report
  634  must include, at a minimum:
  635         a.A list of all payments received by the health
  636  maintenance organization, as described in subparagraph 1., made
  637  or remitted by a third party, which must include:
  638         (I)The date each payment was made.
  639         (II)The prescription drug for which the payment was made.
  640         (III)The reason that the payment was not applied to the
  641  subscriber’s out-of-pocket obligations.
  642         b.The total amount of payments received by the health
  643  maintenance organization which were not applied to a
  644  subscriber’s out-of-pocket maximum.
  645         c.The total number of subscribers for which a payment was
  646  made which was not applied to an out-of-pocket maximum.
  647         d.Whether such payments were returned to the third party
  648  who submitted the payment.
  649         e.The total amount of payments which were not returned to
  650  the third party who submitted the payment.
  651         (e)This subsection applies to any health maintenance
  652  contract or certificate issued, delivered, or renewed in this
  653  state on or after January 1, 2026.
  654         Section 9. Paragraph (c) is added to subsection (2) of
  655  section 641.314, Florida Statutes, to read:
  656         641.314 Pharmacy benefit manager contracts.—
  657         (2) In addition to the requirements of part VII of chapter
  658  626, a contract between a health maintenance organization and a
  659  pharmacy benefit manager must require that the pharmacy benefit
  660  manager:
  661         (c)1.Apply any amount paid by a subscriber or by another
  662  person on behalf of the subscriber toward the subscriber’s total
  663  contribution to any cost-sharing requirement pursuant to s.
  664  641.31(48). This subparagraph applies to any subscriber whose
  665  health maintenance contract or certificate is issued, delivered,
  666  or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2026.
  667         2.Disclose to every subscriber whose health maintenance
  668  contract or certificate is issued, delivered, or renewed in this
  669  state on or after January 1, 2026, that the pharmacy benefit
  670  manager shall apply any amount paid by the subscriber or by
  671  another person on behalf of the subscriber toward the
  672  subscriber’s total contribution to any cost-sharing requirement
  673  pursuant to s. 641.31(48).
  674         Section 10. Paragraph (o) of subsection (2) of section
  675  409.967, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  676         409.967 Managed care plan accountability.—
  677         (2) The agency shall establish such contract requirements
  678  as are necessary for the operation of the statewide managed care
  679  program. In addition to any other provisions the agency may deem
  680  necessary, the contract must require:
  681         (o) Transparency.—Managed care plans shall comply with ss.
  682  627.6385(4) ss. 627.6385(3) and 641.54(7).
  683         Section 11. Paragraph (k) of subsection (1) of section
  684  641.185, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  685         641.185 Health maintenance organization subscriber
  686  protections.—
  687         (1) With respect to the provisions of this part and part
  688  III, the principles expressed in the following statements serve
  689  as standards to be followed by the commission, the office, the
  690  department, and the Agency for Health Care Administration in
  691  exercising their powers and duties, in exercising administrative
  692  discretion, in administrative interpretations of the law, in
  693  enforcing its provisions, and in adopting rules:
  694         (k) A health maintenance organization subscriber shall be
  695  given a copy of the applicable health maintenance contract,
  696  certificate, or member handbook specifying: all the provisions,
  697  disclosure, and limitations required pursuant to s. 641.31(1),
  698  and (4), and (48); the covered services, including those
  699  services, medical conditions, and provider types specified in
  700  ss. 641.31, 641.31094, 641.31095, 641.31096, 641.51(11), and
  701  641.513; and where and in what manner services may be obtained
  702  pursuant to s. 641.31(4).
  703         Section 12. This act applies to health insurance policies,
  704  health benefit plans, and health maintenance contracts entered
  705  into or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.
  706         Section 13. The Legislature finds that this act fulfills an
  707  important state interest.
  708         Section 14. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.