'Direct primary care' heads to House floor

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

With supporters saying the proposal could help businesses fill a gap in health coverage, the House Health & Human Services Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would clear the way for using "direct primary care" agreements in Florida.

The bill (HB 37), sponsored by Rep. Fred Costello, R-Ormond Beach, is now ready to go to the full House. Direct primary-care agreements generally involve monthly payments made to physicians or other health providers. The payments cover patients' routine primary-care services, cutting out the role of insurers. Costello said the bill would make clear that such agreements are not considered insurance and are not subject to regulation under the state insurance code.

Among the backers Wednesday were physician groups, the National Federation of Independent Business and the conservative James Madison Institute. Supporters say the agreements could help businesses that cannot afford to provide full insurance coverage for employees. In such situations, businesses could help pay for direct primary-care agreements.