In 2026 the Florida State Legislature will be implementing new laws regarding healthcare, pet insurance, refunds of overpayments and more. These changes will not impact everyone. Here are the details of the laws passed.
(SB 158) Coverage for Diagnostics and Supplemental Breast Examinations
The Senate Bill 158 was introduced by Senator Lori Berman (D – Palm Beach). This law adjusts Florida’s group insurance for state employees. In this bill it prohibits any cost sharing requirement on any enrollee at either diagnostic or supplemental examinations. Cost sharing is defined as “copayment, coinsurance, deductibles, or any out of pocket monetary expense.
As long as you are not someone employed by the State of Florida, this change will not impact you. Your health insurance provider may still require a cost sharing as defined in your policy, if one is even required. Many insurance carriers will have a no out of pocket expense for a diagnostic, annual mammogram.
(SB 1808) Refund of Overpayments Made By Patients
Senate Bill 1808, introduced by Senator Colleen Burton (R-Polk). This will impose requirements on healthcare providers to provide prompt refunds when the patient overpays for medical services. This change limits the healthcare facilities will have 30 days to refund the patient once the overpayment was made. Failure to return that overpayment within the timeframe, will cause the facility to receive up to a $500.00 fine imposed by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Additionally, if an individual practitioner fails to make a timely refund, they may be subject to disciplinary action by the relevant governing board.
This law will impact everyone in the State of Florida.
(HB 655) Pet Insurance and Wellness Programs
House Bill 655, proposed by Rep. Kaylee Tuck (R-Lake Placid), will create a regulatory framework for pet insurance and wellness programs to be enforced by the Office of Insurance Regulation.
Additionally the bill defines and prohibits unfair and deceptive acts by pet insurance agents. In some cases agents have over embellished, mislead, or lied in full or in part to the consumer in order to get the sale. For example, they may portray the discount policy as insurance, that will require a copayment. Most pet insurance plans are a discount program, which means if you use a licensed vet, you will pay 100% of the bill up front, you will have to submit a claim, and in a few weeks the program will reimburse the client the difference between the bill and the amount specified in the policy. For example, you go to the vet from your dog breaking its leg. The X Rays are 75.00, and the treatment is 500.00. You would pay a total of $575.00. Later you submit the claim to the policy issuer and their pay scale for X Rays are $25.00 and the fee for setting the leg is 275.00. They will cut you a check for the difference $125.00.
