CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Mental Health Care Service Initiative
10/14/2021
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the new Mental Health Care Service webpage on the Department of Financial Services (DFS) website, which aims to provide resources and assistance to mental health services for consumers. This past legislative session, HB 701 was signed by Governor DeSantis and establishes new communication duties for health insurers and HMOs and creates reporting requirements for DFS. Mental illness affects millions of people in the United States each year. Nearly one in five adults live with a mental illness and an estimated 49.5 percent of adolescents aged 13-18 have a mental disorder. This service is aimed at better protecting policyholders and their insurers with mental health services.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Mental health can be a sensitive and difficult topic to approach and I’m proud to provide Floridians with resources they need to seek vital treatment so they can live a healthier life. As we’ve seen throughout the pandemic, mental health challenges are on the rise nationwide, especially within our first responder and front-line healthcare communities. Thank you to Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for stressing the importance of mental health resources in our communities.”
Representative Cyndi Stevenson said, “I made it my mission this past legislative session to fight for Floridians and improve resources for individuals with mental health needs. With COVID-19 we saw a looming mental health crisis because of job losses, lockdowns and school closures, and that is one of the many reasons it is so critical that consumers have access to the mental health services they need when they need it. I was proud to sponsor HB 701, and I would like to thank my colleagues in the Legislature, Governor DeSantis, First Lady DeSantis and CFO Patronis for working together to ensure consumers receive a clear message when it comes to mental health care coverage.”
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Mental health can be a sensitive and difficult topic to approach and I’m proud to provide Floridians with resources they need to seek vital treatment so they can live a healthier life. As we’ve seen throughout the pandemic, mental health challenges are on the rise nationwide, especially within our first responder and front-line healthcare communities. Thank you to Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for stressing the importance of mental health resources in our communities.”
Representative Cyndi Stevenson said, “I made it my mission this past legislative session to fight for Floridians and improve resources for individuals with mental health needs. With COVID-19 we saw a looming mental health crisis because of job losses, lockdowns and school closures, and that is one of the many reasons it is so critical that consumers have access to the mental health services they need when they need it. I was proud to sponsor HB 701, and I would like to thank my colleagues in the Legislature, Governor DeSantis, First Lady DeSantis and CFO Patronis for working together to ensure consumers receive a clear message when it comes to mental health care coverage.”
The Mental Health Care Service website includes:
• Information on what insurance benefits are available in Florida
• Requirements for coverage by group health plans under Florida
law
• Information on the Federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
• Information on filing an appeal of a denied pre-authorization or claim
• A frequently asked questions page and consumer tips
To visit the Mental Health Care Service website, click here.
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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).