NU Online News Service, Feb. 24. 01, 3:33 p.m.EST

The Florida House Economic Affairs Committee has advancedlegislation to reform the state's no-fault, personal injuryprotection program.

The bill, HB 119, now heads to the floor of the Florida Housewith just two weeks left in the state-legislative session.According to the Florida Insurance Council, the bill needs to bemerged with a Senate package, SB 1860, which comes before theSenate Budget Committee next week.

The House bill replaces the mandatory PIP no-fault insurancecoverage with “emergency care coverage.”

HB 119, among many things, would change accident reports aretaken, provide coverage limits, establish a schedule of maximumcharges, create a list of diagnostic tests deemed not to bemedically necessary, and control attorneys' fees.

To be eligible for medical care coverage benefits, victims ofaccidents must seek treatment within 72 hours of the accident.

Put theBrakes on Accident Fraud, a coalition ofFlorida consumers,business leaders, law enforcement and other says the measure is “astep in the right direction for cracking down on PIP fraudinFlorida.”

For years the insurance industry has alleged fraud by the state's healthcare clinics, adding thatorganized staged-accident rings take advantage of holes in thesystem.

Gov. Rick Scott and state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwaterhave outlined four steps to reform the no-fault law, first enacted in theearly 1970s, which requires drivers to have PIP that provides$10,000 in coverage per person for medical bills, regardless offault in an accident.

Up to $10,000 of medical benefits remain available to peoplediagnosed with an emergency medical condition but the HB 119 limitsreimbursement for non-emergency injuries.

Medical benefits of $1,500 are available to those who go to theemergency room and do not have a diagnosed emergency medicalcondition or to those who go to another medical doctor—such as adentist, physician assistant, osteopathic physician or advancedregistered nurse practitioner—in a timely manner.