Downloads
CS/CS/HB 1093 — Volunteer Health Services
by Health and Human Services Committee; Health Quality Subcommittee; Rep. Hudson and others (CS/CS/SB 1690 by Appropriations Committee; Health Policy Committee; and Senator Bean)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)
The bill amends the Medical Practice Act and the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act to revise the criteria for limited licensure for physicians. Limited licenses are typically issued to physicians providing volunteer, uncompensated services for low-income Floridians or services in areas of critical medical need. The bill provides greater flexibility for the Department of Health to issue the limited licenses.
The bill also amends s. 766.115, F.S., the Access to Health Care Act (the Act), to:
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Revise the contractual requirements for patient referrals and care under the Act. The contract between the governmental contractor and the provider may authorize the provider to determine patient selection and initial referral. The Department is required to retain review and oversight authority of this process;
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Eliminate the requirement that patient care, including follow-up or hospital care, is subject to approval by the government contractor;
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Require the Department of Health to post online volunteers, volunteer providers’ hours, and the number of patient visits for each volunteer. However, a provider may request in writing to be excluded from the online listing;
- Permit volunteer providers to earn continuing education credit for participating in theprogram. The bill allows each hour of volunteer services to count as a continuing education hour for up to eight hours per licensure period.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2013
Vote: Senate 36-0; House 116-0