Bill Text: FL S0214 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

Florida Senate Bill 214 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities [SPSC]

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)

Status: (Failed) 2010-04-30 - Died in Committee on Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means [S0214 Detail]

Download: Florida-2010-S0214-Introduced.html

 
Florida Senate - 2010                                     SB 214 
 
By Senator Ring 
32-00050B-10                                           2010214__ 
1                        A bill to be entitled 
2         An act relating to autism; creating s. 381.986, F.S.; 
3         requiring that a physician refer a minor to an 
4         appropriate specialist for screening for autism 
5         spectrum disorder under certain circumstances; 
6         defining the term “appropriate specialist”; amending 
7         ss. 627.6686 and 641.31098, F.S.; defining the term 
8         “direct patient access”; requiring certain insurers 
9         and health maintenance organizations to provide direct 
10         patient access to an appropriate specialist for a 
11         minimum number of visits per year for the screening, 
12         evaluation, or diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder; 
13         providing an effective date. 
14 
15  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 
16 
17         Section 1. Section 381.986, Florida Statutes, is created to 
18  read: 
19         381.986 Screening for autism spectrum disorder.— 
20         (1) If the parent or legal guardian of a minor who is an 
21  eligible individual, as defined in s. 627.6686 or s. 641.31098, 
22  believes that the minor exhibits symptoms of autism spectrum 
23  disorder, the parent or legal guardian may report his or her 
24  observation to a physician licensed in this state. The physician 
25  shall immediately refer the minor to an appropriate specialist 
26  for the screening for, evaluation of, or diagnosis of autism 
27  spectrum disorder. This section does not apply to a physician 
28  providing care under s. 395.1041. 
29         (2) As used in this section, the term “appropriate 
30  specialist” means a qualified professional who is experienced in 
31  the evaluation of autism spectrum disorder, who has training in 
32  validated diagnostic tools, and includes, but is not limited to, 
33  a person who is licensed in this state as: 
34         (a) A psychologist; 
35         (b) A psychiatrist; 
36         (c) A neurologist; 
37         (d) A developmental or behavioral pediatrician who 
38  specializes in child neurology; or 
39         (e) A professional whose licensure is deemed appropriate by 
40  the Children’s Medical Services Early Steps Program within the 
41  Department of Health. 
42         Section 2. Present paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of 
43  subsection (2) of section 627.6686, Florida Statutes, are 
44  redesignated as paragraphs (d), (e), and (f), respectively, a 
45  new paragraph (c) is added to that subsection, and paragraph (a) 
46  of subsection (3) of that section is amended, to read: 
47         627.6686 Coverage for individuals with autism spectrum 
48  disorder required; exception.— 
49         (2) As used in this section, the term: 
50         (c) “Direct patient access” means the ability of an insured 
51  to obtain services from an in-network provider without a 
52  referral or other authorization before receiving services. 
53         (3) A health insurance plan issued or renewed on or after 
54  April 1, 2009, shall provide coverage to an eligible individual 
55  for: 
56         (a) Direct patient access to an appropriate specialist, as 
57  defined in s. 381.986, for a minimum of three visits per policy 
58  year for the screening for, evaluation of, or diagnosis Well 
59  baby and well-child screening for diagnosing the presence of 
60  autism spectrum disorder. 
61         Section 3. Present paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (2) 
62  of section 641.31098, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as 
63  paragraphs (d) and (e), respectively, a new paragraph (c) is 
64  added to that subsection, and paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of 
65  that section is amended, to read: 
66         641.31098 Coverage for individuals with developmental 
67  disabilities.— 
68         (2) As used in this section, the term: 
69         (c) “Direct patient access” means the ability of a 
70  subscriber to obtain services from an in-network provider 
71  without a referral or other authorization before receiving 
72  services. 
73         (3) A health maintenance contract issued or renewed on or 
74  after April 1, 2009, shall provide coverage to an eligible 
75  individual for: 
76         (a) Direct patient access to an appropriate specialist, as 
77  defined in s. 381.986, for a minimum of three visits per policy 
78  year for the screening for, evaluation of, or diagnosis Well 
79  baby and well-child screening for diagnosing the presence of 
80  autism spectrum disorder. 
81         Section 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2010.