Recent legislation in Florida makes it easier for acupuncturists to receive payments.

Crist signs controversial health care bill

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Charlie Crist took the side of Florida's doctors on Wednesday, signing a bill that will let doctors receive direct payments from insurance companies when they treat patients outside medical networks.

The legislation was strongly opposed by Blue Cross Blue Shield, the state's largest health insurer, and business groups that warned the measure could undermine the savings realized by having patients enroll in medical networks known as preferred provider organizations (PPOs).

Under the law, which takes effect July 1, doctors who treat PPO patients outside their networks can now receive direct payments for their services. Under existing law, insurers like Blue Cross could refuse to directly pay the doctors and instead could reimburse the patients who would have to pay the doctors for their services.

In signing the bill, Crist, who is the son of a St. Petersburg doctor, said under the current system doctors and other medical providers are "all too often" not reimbursed for their services.

"For this reason, many providers are reluctant to care for out-of-network individuals, thus reducing access to health care," Crist wrote in a letter he filed with the Secretary of State's Office. "As a result, individuals may not get the opportunity to see the provider of their choice."

Crist said the new law "removes a health care access barrier" by making sure the doctors are being paid for their services.

"This legislation allows direct payment for services rendered by out-of-network providers, thus reducing fraud and preventing misuse of insurance benefits," Crist wrote.

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