Budget-Related Bill Also Would Limit Repackaged Drug Physician Reimbursement
May 26, 2010
HB 5603 relating to the Florida Department of Financial Services by the Government Operations Appropriations Committee and State Representative Alan Hays (R-Umatilla) would, among other provisions, revise the maximum reimbursement allowances section in 440.13, F.S. for the purpose of addressing the increased costs of repackaged medications.
The bill was amended during budget conference negotiations late in the 2010 Session and subsequently passed on April 30, 2010. To view a copy of HB 5603, click here.
As of today, May 26, 2010, Florida Governor Charlie Crist has not yet acted upon HB 5603.
The story below by Gary Fineout on the issues surrounding the bill was posted in “The Current” on May 25.
Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Colodny Fass.
Union and doctors ask Crist to veto bill wanted by Sink
by Gary Fineout, May 25, 2010
“The Current”
The union that represents state workers, along with the Florida Medical Association, is asking that Gov. Charlie Crist veto a bill that is a top priority for Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink.
Sink’s office has already asked Crist to sign HB 5603, a measure that includes changes intended to encourage state agencies to do a better job at preventing on the job injuries.
But the legislation also alters Florida’s worker’s compensation law in a way that it would cap how much physicians can get reimbursed for dispensing drugs to injured workers. The Florida Orthopaedic Society and the FMA sent a letter to Crist saying it would create a “significant financial hardship” for physicians. The organizations – along with Sen. Rudy Garcia, R-Miami – are also critical that the worker’s comp provision was placed into a budget conforming bill during conference negotiations in the final days of the 2010 session.
Records show that the provision first surfaced at a budget conference meeting some eight days before the end of session. It was offered by Rep. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla and accepted by Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis later that same day to be added to a bill dealing with the Department of Financial Services.
The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees is asking for a veto because the union maintains that the law change would drive more injured workers to get prescriptions from a pharmacy where they would have to wait for a reimbursement from an insurance company.
“This bill would hurt financially injured workers at their most vulnerable time,” wrote Jeanette Wynn, president of AFSCME Florida Council 79.
Crist on Tuesday said he had reviewed the bill and said that he was concerned about it.
Sink in her letter to Crist defends the cap on reimbursements to physicians as a way to cut down on costs in the worker’s compensation system. She cites an estimate that the law could save as much as $34 million a year for employers.
Crist has until Friday to either sign, veto or let the bill become law without his signature.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an email to bellis@cftlaw.com.