One of NFIB/Florida’s major priorities this year was a proposal
that would allow doctors to directly contract with employers to provide primary
care services to their employees. These contracts, when coupled with a major
medical policy, satisfy the employer mandate under the Affordable Care Act. The
Florida House passed this “direct primary care” bill during Special Session A
in June, but it subsequently died when the Senate failed to consider many
innovative healthcare reform bills.
With the 2016 legislative session beginning two months early in January,
legislative committee meetings will get underway in September. At NFIB, we’re
formulating our official Small Business Agenda, and you can expect this cost-saving
health insurance model to be at the top of our list.
That’s why we’re pleased that several bills have already been filed to address direct primary care, including SB178 by Sen. Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach).
The proposed legislation clarifies that direct primary care agreements are not classified as health insurance, which would open the door to many physicians who are interested in offering these discounted services. Direct primary care would save
business owners thousands of dollars per month while giving them the opportunity to provide cost-effective primary care services to their employees and their families.
