HB 821 - Patient's Choice of Providers

• Establishes the "Patient's Freedom of Choice of Providers Act" to prohibit health insurers from excluding willing and qualified health care providers from their networks.

• Applies to health care professionals licensed under multiple Florida statutes including physicians, nurses, dentists, chiropractors, and other regulated health care professionals.

• Defines "health insurance plan" to include plans offered by HMOs, authorized health insurers, and employee welfare benefit plans under ERISA, excluding limited benefit and supplemental plans.

• Requires health insurers to include licensed providers in their networks if the provider is located within the plan's geographic coverage area and willing to meet the insurer's terms, conditions, and fee schedule.

• Takes effect July 1, 2017.