The bill amends the Florida Health Choices Program, renaming it the Florida Employee Health Choices Program, and introduces several enhancements aimed at improving functionality and accessibility. Key changes include the introduction of individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements, allowing employers to contribute directly to employees' health care costs, thereby enabling them to choose their own health plans. The bill also revises definitions, purposes, and components of the program to foster a competitive marketplace for individual health insurance. Additionally, it updates eligibility and participation requirements for employers and vendors while deleting certain pricing transparency requirements and the option for risk pooling.

To manage the program, the bill establishes a new entity, Florida Employee Health Choices, Inc., governed by an eight-member board of directors appointed by state officials. This corporation will develop operational bylaws, criteria for participation, and consumer education initiatives, and is required to be self-sustaining by January 1, 2029. The bill also introduces a surcharge pricing mechanism for administrative funding and mandates the creation of a toll-free hotline for assistance. Furthermore, it amends provisions related to the Florida Kidcare program and Medicaid managed care enrollment, allowing recipients with employer-sponsored coverage to opt out of Medicaid plans. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 1460 Filed: 408.910, 409.821, 409.9122, 409.977