The Florida Department of Health has announced that, under the current state of emergency prompted by the Gulf winter weather system, residents are allowed to receive early prescription refills. This measure is intended to help Floridians maintain access to necessary medications if pharmacies become temporarily unavailable.
According to the department, early refills may include controlled substances as long as they are not listed in Schedule II of Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, which pertains to the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued a reminder that all health insurers, managed care organizations, and other health entities must comply with section 252.358, Florida Statutes. This provision allows for early prescription refills when the Governor declares a state of emergency through an executive order. The requirement remains effective until the executive order is rescinded or expires.
In line with Executive Order 25-13 and section 252.358, all relevant insurance entities must waive time restrictions on prescription medication refills during a state of emergency. This includes suspending electronic “refill too soon” edits at pharmacies and authorizing payment for at least a 30-day supply of any prescription medication if there are authorized refills remaining. The policy applies when:
– The person seeking a refill resides in a county under a hurricane warning from the National Weather Service,
– Is declared under a state of emergency by executive order,
– Or has activated its emergency operations center and management plan.
Requests for early refills must be made within 30 days after these conditions begin or until they are terminated by authorities. The waiver period can be extended in increments by orders from the Office of Insurance Regulation.
“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 This mandate remains in effect until the Governor’s executive order is rescinded or expires,” according to guidance from the Office of Insurance Regulation.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,” according to Executive Order 25-13.
The Florida Department of Health oversees regulation and licensing for healthcare practitioners across the state as part of its mission to protect public health and safety. Meanwhile, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation monitors compliance within insurance markets; more information about their activities can be found at www.floir.com or on X @FLOIR_comm.
