H 977

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    HB 977  2026
1A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to benefits for obesity under the
3state group health insurance plan; amending s.
4110.12303, F.S.; requiring the Department of
5Management Services to provide coverage for the
6treatment and management of obesity for state group
7health insurance policies issued after a specified
8date; providing coverage criteria; requiring the
9department to adopt eligibility criteria by a
10specified date; providing definitions; providing
11reporting requirements; providing an effective date.
12
13Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
14
15Section 1.        Subsection (9) is added to section 110.12303,
16Florida Statutes, to read:
17110.12303        State group insurance program; additional
18benefits; price transparency program; reporting.—
19(9)(a)      For state group health insurance plan policies
20issued on or after January 1, 2027, the department shall provide
21coverage for evidence-based treatment and management of obesity
22and related conditions, as prescribed by a professional health
23care provider, for:
241.      Intensive health behavioral and lifestyle treatment.
252.      United States Food and Drug Administration-approved
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 HB 977  2026
26    weight management medications.
27(b)      Coverage criteria for a United States Food and Drug
28    Administration-approved weight management medication may not be
29    more restrictive than the United States Food and Drug
30    Administration indications for such medication. Coverage for
31    intensive health behavioral and lifestyle treatment may include
32    interventions certified by or recognized by the United States
33    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or recommended by
34    current clinical standards of care. Services may be provided in
35    person, virtually, or in community-based settings to support
36    patient access and needs.
37(c)      Before January 1, 2027, the department shall adopt
38    eligibility criteria, which shall require patients to:
391.      Be enrolled in a PPO or HMO plans.
402.      Be 18 years of age or older.
413.      Be referred and supervised by an in-network licensed
42    provider.
434.      Consent to provide personal and medical information to
44    the department, including medical records documenting body mass
45    index and weight related comorbidities.
465.      Have received a clinical diagnosis of obesity by an in-
47    network licensed provider.
486.      Participate in intensive health, behavioral, and
49    lifestyle intervention.
50(d)      As used in this subsection, the term:
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 HB 977  2026
511.      "United States Food and Drug Administration-approved
52    weight management medication" means any Glucagon-like peptide-1
53    agonist medication approved by the United States Food and Drug
54    Administration with an indication for chronic weight management
55    in patients with an obesity diagnosis.
562.      "Intensive health behavioral and lifestyle treatment"
57    means an evidence-based, intensive, multicomponent behavioral or
58    lifestyle modification intervention that supports healthy weight
59    management and is delivered in person or through telehealth as
60    defined in s. 456.47(1).
61(e)      On or before January 15, 2028, and annually
62    thereafter, the department shall report to the Governor, the
63    President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
64    Representatives on the participation level and cost savings to
65    both the enrollee and the state resulting from this subsection.
66Section 2.        This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
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