HB 21A Summary

• Amends Florida's state group insurance program to expand benefit options and authorize additional products and services beginning with the 2016 plan year, including prepaid health organizations, discount medical plans, and innovative health service delivery methods.

• Requires the Department of Management Services to contract with at least one entity providing comprehensive pricing and inclusive services for surgery and other medical procedures, with cost savings shared between the state and enrollees.

• Establishes a 3-year price transparency pilot project in 1-3 areas of the state to publish prices for 20-50 diagnostic and elective surgical procedures, with enrollees receiving 50 percent of savings when choosing lower-cost providers.

• Directs the department to hire an independent benefits consultant to assess state group insurance program trends, conduct comprehensive analysis, and provide recommendations for program modifications to be submitted annually to the Governor and Legislature.

• For the 2018 plan year and thereafter, health plans must be offered in four benefit levels (Platinum at 90% actuarial value, Gold at 80%, Silver at 70%, and Bronze at 60%), with employees able to use excess state contributions for flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, additional benefits, or salary increases.