FL Lawmakers Propose Prescription Drug ‘Bait and Switch’ Bill

By Daylina Miller | Health News Florida/WUSF

Two Florida lawmakers want health insurance companies to stick by their contracts when it comes to prescription medications.

Currently, no law prevents health insurance companies from increasing a member’s out-of-pocket prescription costs or changing the drugs they cover after the contract is signed.

Michael Ruppal is the Tampa-based executive director of The AIDS Institute, which leads Floridians for Reliable Health Coverage. That’s a coalition of consumer and provider groups that back the bill from Sen. Debbie Mayfield and Rep. Ralph Massullo.

He said the newly filed “Bait and Switch” bill (SB 182/HB 95) makes sure consumers don’t deal with unforeseen coverage changes during their contract.