The law signed by Ron DeSantis in Florida affecting medical bills and taking effect in January 2026

A new regulations approved by the Florida Legislature and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis introduces significant changes in the way Hospitals, clinics and medical professionals have to manage it Overpayments by your patients. It’s about them SB 1808The comes into force on January 1, 2026 and that sets out specific obligations for Repay these amounts within strict deadlines and impose sanctions on those who do not comply.

The Central Board of Regulations created Florida Statutes Sections 408.12 and 456.0625, which established them clear rules for approved companies and for Health professionals. Both hospitals and doctors will have this Obligation to do so refund any overpayments by a patient within a limited and predetermined period of time.

Licensed facilities and healthcare professionals are required to reimburse the patient for the overpayment within 30 days of discovering the overpayment.

The text explains that the reimbursement obligation is activated when the establishment or trader “produces”.Refund Offer Fees“, a concept that the law itself has defined to avoid ambiguity. According to the law source, this does happen When the facility or the doctor submit a coverage claim before a program State, federal or private health insurance with the aim of reimbursing the costs of the service provided.

Regarding overpayments, the law states the following:

The reimbursement obligation is triggered when the facility or physician generates “offer fees for reimbursement.” This concept includes all claims for reimbursement submitted to a public or private insurance company or a healthcare organization.iStock

This structure aims to do that Close gaps in the current systemwhich gave medical facilities greater discretion in managing returns. With the change, The refund is no longer subject to internal times or special administrative practicesbut rather it becomes a requirement with a maximum duration specified in the law.

The legislation included an important addition to Section 408.813 of the Florida Statutes, which regulates the sanctions regimeS. From this change onwards, the non-refund of an overpaid sum applies an administrative offense that can result in fines.

With the introduction of this system, the state wants Ensure that patients are not involved in lengthy procedures You are also not forced to repeatedly request a refund that the establishment itself has already realized.

Failure to return an overpayment constitutes an administrative violation, which allows the Agency for Health Care Administration to impose fines of up to $500 for each violation.freepik

The bill also amended Section 456.072, which lists Actions that can lead to professional sanctions. By adding a new section, failure to repay an overpayment within the stipulated period was also expressly taken into account as a ground for disciplinary action.