This bill amends existing Florida statutes to enhance coverage for colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis under various health insurance plans. It revises the requirements for the Cover Florida Health Care Access Program to include colorectal cancer screenings as part of preventive health services. Specifically, it creates new sections (s. 627.64192, s. 627.6614, and s. 641.31093) that mandate individual health insurance policies, group and franchise health insurance policies, and health maintenance contracts to provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening tests, procedures, and examinations without imposing any cost sharing on the insured. The bill defines "cost sharing" to include copayments, coinsurance, dollar limits, and deductibles, but excludes premiums.

The new provisions require that coverage for colorectal cancer screenings be effective for policies issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and that the screenings must be approved by the FDA or adhere to guidelines established by the American Cancer Society. The bill also specifies that the attending physician must deem the screening appropriate after consulting with the patient. Additionally, it clarifies that these requirements do not apply to nonrenewable health insurance policies written for less than six months. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1542 Filed: 408.9091