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“Certain payments directly to doctors under new Florida health law”
June 10, 2009
“Crist signs Fla. Health insurance bill”
June 10, 2009
“Gov. Crist signs health insurance bill”
June 10, 2009
“Controversial bill signed by Crist”
June 10, 2009
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lynne Takacs
May 28, 2009
Office: 850-224-6496
Cell: 850-445-3533
SB 1122 protects patients and increases access
TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Medical Association (FMA) joins health care partners across Florida to reassure Floridians that the inaccuracies surrounding SB 1122 including increased balance billing, rises in health care premiums and ruined credit, are unsubstantiated and untrue.
“The scare tactics being used by special interest groups funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida are shameful,” said FMA President Steven R. West, M.D. “The information they are peddling to the public contain outright distortions and exaggerations and they should be called to the carpet for making false claims in an effort to generate opposition to this very good bill. I, and the entire medical community, encourage Governor Crist to honor the choices made by Florida’s patients by signing SB 1122 into law.”
SB 1122 removes unnecessary burdens for patients and allows physicians more time and resources to focus on direct patient care. Here is how it works: When a patient visits a doctor that is considered an out-of-network physician, they may choose to assign their benefits to the provider so that the insurance company pays the physician for their services. SB 1122 requires insurance companies to honor the patient’s choice and send the payment directly to the physician, rather than route the check through the patient. This will create less hassle for everyone involved.
Despite these allegations, this bill has no effect on balance billing. Currently, if a patient goes out-of-network and the physician’s fee is greater than the payment the insurance company sends, the patient is responsible for paying the balance of the bill. SB 1122 does not change this. The only change this bill makes is a change of address for the payment. If this bill is signed into law and insurance companies are required to honor a patient’s choice to send the payment to the physician, patients would only receive a bill for the difference, rather than have to pay the entire bill at once or in many cases, pay a large portion up front.
“These special interest groups are using balance billing as a scare tactic and Florida’s patients deserve better,” said Timothy J. Stapleton, Executive Vice President of the FMA. “This assertion is untruthful as evidenced in other states across the nation and through the experiences of other insurers in Florida.” Colorado passed assignment of benefits laws in 2005 and since that time the State Employee Health Plan has experienced NO fiscal impact, premiums did not increase for employees, and providers did not flee from networks. “Additionally, other insurers in Florida, such as Humana, already follow this policy and report that it has had no impact on premiums or costs to consumers. These insurers see it as an added service to their customers and a way to increase access to health care,” said Stapleton.
For more information about the FMA or to request interviews with patient care advocates, contact Lynne Takacs, Director of Communications and Public Relations, at (800) 762-0233, (850) 445-3533 or ltakacs@medone.org.
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About the Florida Medical Association Founded in 1874, the Florida Medical Association's mission is to help physicians practice medicine. With over 19,000 members, the Florida Medical Association is the largest physician association in the state of Florida. For more information about the Florida Medical Association, visit www.fmaonline.org.
