Governor Ron DeSantis has issued Executive Order 23-171, declaring a state of emergency in several Florida counties ahead of the expected landfall of Invest 93L. The order covers Alachua, Bay, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties.
The Florida Department of Health is coordinating with emergency managers across the state to prepare for possible impacts to communities. The department is advising residents to ensure they have an adequate supply of prescription medications in case pharmacies become temporarily unavailable. Under the declared state of emergency conditions in these counties and according to Florida law section 252.358 (https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2018/252.358), residents are allowed to obtain early prescription refills regardless of standard refill limits.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) reminded all health insurers and managed care organizations that they must comply with the requirements for early prescription refills during a state of emergency. “This notice is a reminder that all health insurers, managed care organizations, and other health entities must comply with provisions of section 252.358, Florida Statutes, which allows for early prescription refills in the event the Governor issues an executive order declaring a state of emergency. This mandate remains in effect until the Governor’s executive order is rescinded or expires.”
In line with Executive Order 23-171 and state law: “All health insurers, managed care organizations, and other entities that are licensed by the Office of Insurance Regulation and provide prescription medication coverage as part of a policy or contract shall waive time restrictions on prescription medication refills…to enable insureds or subscribers to refill prescriptions in advance…and shall authorize payment to pharmacies for at least a 30-day supply of any prescription medication…when the following conditions occur:
The person seeking the prescription medication refill resides in a county that:
Is under a hurricane warning issued by the National Weather Service;
Is declared to be under a state of emergency in an executive order issued by the Governor; or
Has activated its emergency operations center and its emergency management plan.”
“The prescription medication refill is requested within 30 days after the origination date of the conditions stated in this section or until such conditions are terminated by the issuing authority or no longer exist. The time period for the waiver of prescription medication refills may be extended in 15- or 30-day increments by emergency orders issued by the Office of Insurance Regulation.
This section does not excuse or exempt an insured or subscriber from compliance with all other terms of the policy or contract providing prescription medication coverage.”
The Florida Department of Health regulates health practitioners statewide and provides information about licensing and enforcement through its Licensing and Regulation section. The department holds national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board.
The OIR oversees regulation and compliance related to insurance business practices in Florida. More information about OIR can be found at www.floir.com.
For updates from the Florida Department of Health visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
