Lawmakers OK direct-care model for doctors, patients

TALLAHASSEE — Physicians, chiropractors and group practices could sign “direct primary-care” agreements with patients without running amok of Florida’s insurance laws under a bill on its way to Gov. Rick Scott.

Under direct primary-care agreements, doctors charge patients monthly fees in advance of providing services, with patients then able to access services at no extra charge. The bill would amend the state insurance code to make it clear that direct primarycare agreements do not violate insurance regulations. Primary care providers are defined as physicians, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, nurses or primary-care group practices.

It also would require direct primary-care contracts to be in writing and to describe the scope of services that would be covered.

The Senate voted unanimously Thursday to approve the measure (HB 37), sponsored by Rep. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, and Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa. The House passed the bill in January by a 97-10 vote.

Direct primary care already exists, with an estimated 4,400 direct primary-care physicians in the U.S.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, according to an analysis of the bill, has “not asserted regulatory authority over them.”

But the analysis said “there is uncertainty about whether the [office] might assert such authority in the future.” If that were to occur, the direct primary care arrangements could be subject to the insurance premium tax that Florida levies on insurance policies and other regulations.

The bill has been a priority for the small-business group National Federation of Independent Business Florida.

“Direct primary care has the potential to change the whole health care market,” said Bill Herrie, NFIB Florida executive director in a text message to The News Service of Florida. “Docs will work for the patient, not some insurance company. With this good bill we expect that a lot of family practitioners will look at changing their practice model.”