HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 1 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S A bill to be entitled 1 An act relating to insurer disclosures on prescription 2 drug coverage; creating s. 627.42394, F.S.; requiring 3 individual and group health insurers to provide notice 4 of prescription drug formulary changes within a 5 certain timeframe to current and prospective insureds 6 and the insureds' treating physicians; specifying 7 requirements for the content of such notice and the 8 manner in which it must be provided; specifying 9 requirements for a notice of medical necessity 10 submitted by the treating physician; authorizing 11 insurers to provide certain means for submitting the 12 notice of medical necessity; requiring the Financial 13 Services Commission to adopt a certain form by rule by 14 a specified date; specifying a coverage requirement 15 and restrictions on coverage modification b y insurers 16 receiving a notice of medical necessity; providing 17 construction and applicability; requiring insurers to 18 maintain a record of formulary changes; requiring 19 insurers to annually submit a specified report to the 20 Office of Insurance Regulation by a specified date; 21 requiring the office to annually compile certain data 22 and prepare a report, make the report publicly 23 accessible on its website, and submit the report to 24 the Governor and the Legislature by a specified date; 25 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 2 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S creating s. 627.6383, F.S.; defin ing the term "cost-26 sharing requirement"; requiring specified individual 27 health insurers and their pharmacy benefit managers to 28 apply payments for prescription drugs by or on behalf 29 of insureds toward the total contributions of the 30 insureds' cost-sharing requirements under certain 31 circumstances; providing construction; requiring 32 specified individual health insurers to maintain 33 records of certain third -party payments for 34 prescription drugs; providing reporting requirements; 35 providing requirements for the repo rts; providing 36 applicability; amending s. 627.6385, F.S.; providing 37 disclosure requirements; providing applicability; 38 amending s. 627.64741, F.S.; requiring specified 39 contracts to require pharmacy benefit managers to 40 apply payments by or on behalf of insur eds toward the 41 insureds' total contributions to cost -sharing 42 requirements; providing applicability; providing 43 disclosure requirements; creating s. 627.65715, F.S.; 44 defining the term "cost -sharing requirement"; 45 requiring specified group health insurers and their 46 pharmacy benefit managers to apply payments for 47 prescription drugs by or on behalf of insureds toward 48 the total contributions of the insureds' cost -sharing 49 requirements under certain circumstances; providing 50 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 3 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S construction; providing disclosure require ments; 51 requiring specified group health insurers to maintain 52 records of certain third -party payments for 53 prescription drugs; providing reporting requirements; 54 providing requirements for the reports; providing 55 applicability; amending s. 627.6572, F.S.; requ iring 56 specified contracts to require pharmacy benefit 57 managers to apply payments by or on behalf of insureds 58 toward the insureds' total contributions to cost -59 sharing requirements; providing applicability; 60 providing disclosure requirements; amending s. 61 627.6699, F.S.; requiring small employer carriers to 62 comply with certain requirements for prescription drug 63 formulary changes; amending s. 641.31, F.S.; providing 64 an exception to requirements relating to changes in a 65 health maintenance organization's group con tract; 66 requiring health maintenance organizations to provide 67 notice of prescription drug formulary changes within a 68 certain timeframe to current and prospective 69 subscribers and the subscribers' treating physicians; 70 specifying requirements for the content o f such notice 71 and the manner in which it must be provided; 72 specifying requirements for a notice of medical 73 necessity submitted by the treating physician; 74 authorizing health maintenance organizations to 75 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 4 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S provide certain means for submitting the notice of 76 medical necessity; requiring the commission to adopt a 77 certain form by rule by a specified date; specifying a 78 coverage requirement and restrictions on coverage 79 modification by health maintenance organizations 80 receiving a notice of medical necessity; providing 81 construction and applicability; requiring health 82 maintenance organizations to maintain a record of 83 formulary changes; requiring health maintenance 84 organizations to annually submit a specified report to 85 the office by a specified date; requiring the office 86 to annually compile certain data and prepare a report, 87 make the report publicly accessible on its website, 88 and submit the report to the Governor and the 89 Legislature by a specified date; defining the term 90 "cost-sharing requirement"; requiring specified heal th 91 maintenance organizations and their pharmacy benefit 92 managers to apply payments for prescription drugs by 93 or on behalf of subscribers toward the total 94 contributions of the subscribers' cost -sharing 95 requirements under certain circumstances; providing 96 construction; providing disclosure requirements; 97 requiring specified health maintenance organizations 98 to maintain records of certain third -party payments 99 for prescription drugs; providing reporting 100 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 5 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S requirements; providing requirements for the reports; 101 providing applicability; amending s. 641.314, F.S.; 102 requiring specified contracts to require pharmacy 103 benefit managers to apply payments by or on behalf of 104 subscribers toward the subscribers' total 105 contributions to cost -sharing requirements; providing 106 applicability; providing disclosure requirements; 107 amending s. 409.967, F.S.; conforming a cross -108 reference; amending s. 641.185, F.S.; conforming a 109 provision to changes made by the act; providing 110 applicability; providing a declaration of important 111 state interest; prov iding an effective date. 112 113 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 114 115 Section 1. Section 627.42394, Florida Statutes, is created 116 to read: 117 627.42394 Health insurance policies; changes to 118 prescription drug formularies; requirements. — 119 (1) At least 60 days before the effective date of any 120 change to a prescription drug formulary during a policy year, an 121 insurer issuing individual or group health insurance policies in 122 the state shall notify: 123 (a) Current and prospective insureds of the change in the 124 formulary in a readily accessible format on the insurer's 125 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 6 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S website; and 126 (b) Any insured currently receiving coverage for a 127 prescription drug for which the formulary change modifies 128 coverage and the insured's treating physician. Such notific ation 129 must be sent electronically and by first -class mail and must 130 include information on the specific drugs involved and a 131 statement that the submission of a notice of medical necessity 132 by the insured's treating physician to the insurer at least 30 133 days before the effective date of the formulary change will 134 result in continuation of coverage at the existing level. 135 (2) The notice provided by the treating physician to the 136 insurer must include a completed one -page form in which the 137 treating physician certif ies to the insurer that the 138 prescription drug for the insured is medically necessary as 139 defined in s. 627.732(2). The treating physician shall submit 140 the notice electronically or by first -class mail. The insurer 141 may provide the treating physician with acce ss to an electronic 142 portal through which the treating physician may electronically 143 submit the notice. By January 1, 2026, the commission shall 144 adopt by rule a form for the notice. 145 (3) If the treating physician certifies to the insurer in 146 accordance with subsection (2) that the prescription drug is 147 medically necessary for the insured, the insurer: 148 (a) Must authorize coverage for the prescribed drug until 149 the end of the policy year, based solely on the treating 150 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 7 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S physician's certification that the drug is m edically necessary; 151 and 152 (b) May not modify the coverage related to the covered 153 drug during the policy year by: 154 1. Increasing the out -of-pocket costs for the covered 155 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 165 list 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 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 8 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S chapter 409. 176 (5) A health insurer shall maintain a record of any change 177 in its formulary dur ing 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 formula ry, 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 197 the Senate, and the Speaker o f the House of Representatives. 198 Section 2. Section 627.6383, Florida Statutes, is created 199 to read: 200 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 9 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 627.6383 Cost-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 207 renewing a policy in this stat e 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 contr ibution 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 221 or pharmacy benefit manager. 222 (b) The amount paid by or on behalf of the insured which 223 is applied toward the insured's total contribution to any cost -224 sharing requirement under paragraph (a) includes, but is not 225 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 10 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 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 ou t-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 cover age, 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 subparagra ph 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 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 11 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (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 pa yment. 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 t o policyholders; calculations of 271 cost 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 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 12 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 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 co ntribution 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 acces sed. 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 pol icyholder 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 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 13 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S section 627.64741, Florida Statutes, to read: 301 627.64741 Pharmacy be nefit 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 beh alf 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: 319 627.65715 Cost-sharing requirements. — 320 (1) As used in this sectio n, 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. 1802 2. 325 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 14 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (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 340 or pharmacy benefit manager. 341 (b) The amount paid by or on behalf of the insured which 342 is 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 prescript ion drug coverage, 350 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 15 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 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 maint ain 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 bene fit 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 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 16 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 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 bene fit 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 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 17 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S manager must require that the pharmacy benefit manager: 401 (c)1. Apply any amount paid by an insured or by a nother 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 beha lf 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 Ac cess Act.— 416 (5) AVAILABILITY OF COVERAGE. — 417 (e) All health benefit plans issued under this section 418 must 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 longe r 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 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 18 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S determining whether to provide c overage 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 fo r 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 a s 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 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 19 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S requirement for minimum employee participation or any 451 requirement for minimum employer contribution applic able 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 re strict 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 469 be provided. An annual 30 -day open enrollment period must be 470 offered to each smal l 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 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 20 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 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 incr eases 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 499 the formulary in a readily accessible format on the health 500 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 21 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S maintenance organization's website; and 501 2. Any subscriber currently rec eiving 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 invol ved 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 coverag e 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 prescriptio n 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 acco rdance with paragraph (b) that 524 the prescription drug is medically necessary for the subscriber, 525 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 22 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 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 533 drug; 534 b. Moving the covered drug to a more re strictive tier; 535 c. Denying a subscriber coverage of the drug for which the 536 subscriber has been previously approved for coverage by the 537 health maintenance organization; or 538 d. Limiting or reducing coverage of the drug in any other 539 way, including subjecti ng it to a new prior authorization or 540 step-therapy requirement. 541 (d) Paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) do not: 542 1. Prohibit the addition of prescription drugs to the list 543 of drugs covered under the contract during the contract year. 544 2. Apply to a grandfathe red health plan as defined in s. 545 627.402 or to benefits specified in s. 627.6513(1) -(14). 546 3. Alter or amend s. 465.025, which provides conditions 547 under which a pharmacist may substitute a generically equivalent 548 drug product for a brand name drug product. 549 4. Alter or amend s. 465.0252, which provides conditions 550 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 23 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S under which a pharmacist may dispense a substitute biological 551 product for the prescribed biological product. 552 5. Apply to a Medicaid managed care plan under part IV of 553 chapter 409. 554 (e) A health maintenance organization shall maintain a 555 record of any change in its formulary during a calendar year. By 556 March 1 of each year, a health maintenance organization shall 557 submit to the office a report delineating such changes made in 558 the previous calendar y ear. The annual report must include, at a 559 minimum: 560 1. A list of all drugs removed from the formulary, along 561 with the date of the removal and the reasons for the removal. 562 2. A list of all drugs moved to a tier resulting in 563 additional out-of-pocket costs to subscribers. 564 3. The number of subscribers notified by the health 565 maintenance organization of a change in the formulary. 566 4. The number of subscribers notified by the health 567 maintenance organization of a change in the formulary. 568 5. The increased cost, by dollar amount, incurred by 569 subscribers because of such change in the formulary. 570 (f) By May 1 of each year, the office shall: 571 1. Compile the data in such annual reports submitted by 572 health maintenance organizations and prepare a report 573 summarizing the data submitted; 574 2. Make the report publicly accessible on its website; and 575 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 24 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 3. Submit the report to the Governor, the President of the 576 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 577 (48)(a) As used in this subsection, the term "cost-sharing 578 requirement" means a dollar limit, a deductible, a copayment, 579 coinsurance, or any other out -of-pocket expense imposed on a 580 subscriber, including, but not limited to, the annual limitation 581 on cost sharing subject to 42 U.S.C. s. 18022. 582 (b)1. Each health maintenance organization issuing, 583 delivering, or renewing a health maintenance contract or 584 certificate in this state which provides prescription drug 585 coverage, or each pharmacy benefit manager on behalf of such 586 health maintenance organization, shall apply any amount paid for 587 a prescription drug by a subscriber or by another person on 588 behalf of the subscriber toward the subscriber's total 589 contribution to any cost -sharing requirement if the prescription 590 drug: 591 a. Does not have a generic equivale nt; or 592 b. Has a generic equivalent and the subscriber has 593 obtained authorization for the prescription drug through any of 594 the following: 595 (I) Prior authorization from the health maintenance 596 organization or pharmacy benefit manager. 597 (II) A step-therapy protocol. 598 (III) The exception or appeal process of the health 599 maintenance organization or pharmacy benefit manager. 600 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 25 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 2. The amount paid by or on behalf of the subscriber which 601 is applied toward the subscriber's total contribution to any 602 cost-sharing requirement under subparagraph 1. includes, but is 603 not limited to, any payment with or any discount through 604 financial assistance, a manufacturer copay card, a product 605 voucher, or any other reduction in out -of-pocket expenses made 606 by or on behalf of the subsc riber for a prescription drug. 607 (c) Each health maintenance organization issuing, 608 delivering, or renewing a health maintenance contract or 609 certificate in this state which provides prescription drug 610 coverage, regardless of whether the prescription drug ben efits 611 are administered or managed by the health maintenance 612 organization or by a pharmacy benefit manager on behalf of the 613 health maintenance organization, shall disclose on its website 614 and in every subscriber's health maintenance contract, 615 certificate, or member handbook issued, delivered, or renewed in 616 this state on or after January 1, 2026, that any amount paid by 617 a subscriber or by another person on behalf of the subscriber 618 must be applied toward the subscriber's total contribution to 619 any cost-sharing requirement. 620 (d)1. A health maintenance organization issuing, 621 delivering, or renewing a health maintenance contract or 622 certificate in this state which provides prescription drug 623 coverage, regardless of whether the prescription drug benefits 624 are administered or managed by the health maintenance 625 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 26 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S organization or by a pharmacy benefit manager on behalf of the 626 health maintenance organization, shall maintain a record of any 627 third-party payments, made or remitted on behalf of a 628 subscriber, for prescription drugs, which are not applied to the 629 subscriber's out-of-pocket obligations, including, but not 630 limited to, deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. 631 2. By March 1 of each year, a health maintenance 632 organization shall submit to the office a report delineating 633 third-party payments, as described in subparagraph 1., which 634 were received in the previous calendar year. The annual report 635 must include, at a minimum: 636 a. A list of all payments received by the health 637 maintenance organization, as described in subparagraph 1., made 638 or remitted by a third party, which must include: 639 (I) The date each payment was made. 640 (II) The prescription drug for which the payment was made. 641 (III) The reason that the payment was not applied to the 642 subscriber's out-of-pocket obligations. 643 b. The total amount of payments received by the health 644 maintenance organization which were not applied to a 645 subscriber's out-of-pocket maximum. 646 c. The total number of subscribers for which a payment was 647 made which was not applied to an out -of-pocket maximum. 648 d. Whether such payments were returned to the third party 649 who submitted the payment. 650 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 27 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S e. The total amount of payments which were not returned to 651 the third party who submitted the payment. 652 (e) This subsection applies to any health maintenance 653 contract or certificate issued, delivered, or renewed in this 654 state on or after January 1, 2026. 655 Section 9. Paragraph (c) is added to subsection (2) of 656 section 641.314, Florida Statutes, to read: 657 641.314 Pharmacy benefit manager contracts. — 658 (2) In addition to the requirements of part VII of chapter 659 626, a contract between a health maintenance organization and a 660 pharmacy benefit manager must require that the pharmacy benefit 661 manager: 662 (c)1. Apply any amount paid by a subscriber or by another 663 person on behalf of the subscriber toward the subscriber's total 664 contribution to any cost -sharing requirement pursuant to s. 665 641.31(48). This subparagraph applies to any subscriber whose 666 health maintenance contract or certificate is issued, delivered, 667 or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2026. 668 2. Disclose to every subscriber whose health maintenance 669 contract or certificate is issued, delivered, or renewed in this 670 state on or after January 1, 2026, that the pharmacy benefit 671 manager shall apply any amou nt paid by the subscriber or by 672 another person on behalf of the subscriber toward the 673 subscriber's total contribution to any cost -sharing requirement 674 pursuant to s. 641.31(48). 675 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 28 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Section 10. Paragraph (o) of subsection (2) of section 676 409.967, Florida Sta tutes, is amended to read: 677 409.967 Managed care plan accountability. — 678 (2) The agency shall establish such contract requirements 679 as are necessary for the operation of the statewide managed care 680 program. In addition to any other provisions the agency may deem 681 necessary, the contract must require: 682 (o) Transparency.—Managed care plans shall comply with ss. 683 627.6385(4) ss. 627.6385(3) and 641.54(7). 684 Section 11. Paragraph (k) of subsection (1) of section 685 641.185, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 686 641.185 Health maintenance organization subscriber 687 protections.— 688 (1) With respect to the provisions of this part and part 689 III, the principles expressed in the following statements serve 690 as standards to be followed by the commission, the office, the 691 department, and the Agency for Health Care Administration in 692 exercising their powers and duties, in exercising administrative 693 discretion, in administrative interpretations of the law, in 694 enforcing its provisions, and in adopting rules: 695 (k) A health maintenan ce organization subscriber shall be 696 given a copy of the applicable health maintenance contract, 697 certificate, or member handbook specifying: all the provisions, 698 disclosure, and limitations required pursuant to s. 641.31(1) , 699 and (4), and (48); the covered services, including those 700 HB 899 2025 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb899-00 Page 29 of 29 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S services, medical conditions, and provider types specified in 701 ss. 641.31, 641.31094, 641.31095, 641.31096, 641.51(11), and 702 641.513; and where and in what manner services may be obtained 703 pursuant to s. 641.31(4). 704 Section 12. This act applies to health insurance policies, 705 health benefit plans, and health maintenance contracts entered 706 into or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. 707 Section 13. The Legislature finds that this act fulfills 708 an important state interest. 709 Section 14. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 710