News & Press: Advocacy

Advocacy Win! Governor DeSantis Signs Biomarker Testing Bill into Law

Monday, June 24, 2024   (0 Comments)

The FSR would like to share some exciting news regarding recent legislative developments that will positively impact our community. Governor DeSantis has signed House Bill 885 into law, marking a significant step forward in healthcare accessibility for rheumatology patients in Florida.

This new law mandates several key provisions:

  1. The Department of Management Services (DMS) is now required to provide coverage for biomarker testing for specified purposes under the state employees' state group health insurance plan policies.
  2. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is authorized to fund biomarker testing under the Medicaid program for specified purposes, subject to specific appropriations.
  3. Managed care plans under contract with AHCA in the Medicaid program must offer coverage for biomarker testing for Medicaid recipients in a specified manner.
  4. The law specifies the circumstances under which such coverage may be provided and mandates a clear, convenient, and readily accessible process for authorization requests for biomarker testing.

These measures are crucial in improving healthcare outcomes and access to necessary diagnostic tools for Medicaid beneficiaries across the state. The Florida Society of Rheumatology applauds this legislative initiative, which underscores our commitment to advancing patient care and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services.

We encourage you to review the full text of House Bill 885 for detailed information on how these changes will impact our practice and patient care. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our profession and the patients we serve. Together, we can continue to make a positive difference in healthcare delivery in Florida.