Senate Bill 2624

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.



    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624

    By Senator Myers





    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to trauma services; creating s.

  3         395.4001, F.S.; providing definitions; amending

  4         s. 395.401, F.S.; deleting definitions;

  5         revising minimum components for local and

  6         regional trauma services system plans; amending

  7         s. 395.4015, F.S.; revising minimum components

  8         for state regional trauma system plans;

  9         providing for a statewide inclusive trauma

10         system; amending s. 395.4045, F.S.; revising

11         requirements relating to trauma transport

12         protocols; providing for uniform protocols;

13         revising requirements relating to the trauma

14         scoring system and rules related thereto;

15         revising requirements relating to trauma

16         transport protocols and rules related thereto;

17         providing medical responsibility and

18         accountability for trauma victims during

19         interfacility trauma transfer; requiring the

20         Department of Health to adopt and enforce

21         certain rules; amending s. 395.405, F.S.;

22         providing rulemaking and enforcement authority;

23         amending ss. 395.4025, 395.50, 322.0602, and

24         440.13, F.S.; conforming cross-references;

25         providing an effective date.

26

27  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

28

29         Section 1.  Section 395.4001, Florida Statutes, is

30  created to read:

31         395.4001  Definitions.--As used in this part, the term:

                                  1

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1         (1)  "Agency" means the Agency for Health Care

  2  Administration.

  3         (2)  "Charity care" or "uncompensated charity care"

  4  means that portion of hospital charges reported to the agency

  5  for which there is no compensation for care provided to a

  6  patient whose family income for the 12 months preceding the

  7  determination is less than or equal to 150 percent of the

  8  federal poverty level, unless the amount of hospital charges

  9  due from the patient exceeds 25 percent of the annual family

10  income. However, in no case shall the hospital charges for a

11  patient whose family income exceeds four times the federal

12  poverty level for a family of four be considered charity.

13         (3)  "Department" means the Department of Health.

14         (4)  "Interfacility trauma transfer" means the transfer

15  of a trauma victim between two facilities licensed under this

16  chapter, pursuant to this part.

17         (5)  "Level I trauma center" means a trauma center

18  that:

19         (a)  Has formal research and education programs for the

20  enhancement of trauma care and is determined by the department

21  to be in substantial compliance with Level I trauma center and

22  pediatric trauma referral center standards.

23         (b)  Serves as a resource facility to Level II trauma

24  centers, pediatric trauma referral centers, and general

25  hospitals through shared outreach, education, and quality

26  improvement activities.

27         (c)  Participates in an inclusive system of trauma

28  care, including providing leadership, system evaluation, and

29  quality improvement activities.

30         (6)  "Level II trauma center" means a trauma center

31  that:

                                  2

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1         (a)  Is determined by the department to be in

  2  substantial compliance with Level II trauma center standards.

  3         (b)  Serves as a resource facility to general hospitals

  4  through shared outreach, education, and quality improvement

  5  activities.

  6         (c)  Participates in an inclusive system of trauma

  7  care.

  8         (7)  "Pediatric trauma referral center" means a

  9  hospital that is determined by the department to be in

10  substantial compliance with pediatric trauma referral center

11  standards as established by rule of the department.

12         (8)  "State-approved trauma center" means a hospital

13  that has successfully completed the selection process pursuant

14  to s. 395.4025 and has been approved by the department to

15  operate as a trauma center in the state.

16         (9)  "State-sponsored trauma center" means a trauma

17  center or pediatric trauma referral center that receives state

18  funding for trauma care services under s. 395.403.

19         (10)  "Trauma agency" means a department-approved

20  agency established and operated by one or more counties, or a

21  department-approved entity with which one or more counties

22  contract, for the purpose of administering an inclusive

23  regional trauma system.

24         (11)  "Trauma alert victim" means a person who has

25  incurred a single or multisystem injury due to blunt or

26  penetrating means or burns, who requires immediate medical

27  intervention or treatment, and who meets one or more of the

28  adult or pediatric scorecard criteria established by the

29  department by rule.

30         (12)  "Trauma center" means any hospital that has been

31  determined by the department to be in substantial compliance

                                  3

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1  with trauma center verification standards as either

  2  state-approved or provisional state-approved.

  3         (13)  "Trauma scorecard" means a statewide methodology

  4  adopted by the department by rule under which a person who has

  5  incurred a traumatic injury is graded as to the severity of

  6  his or her injuries or illness and which methodology is used

  7  as the basis for making destination decisions.

  8         (14)  "Trauma transport protocol" means a document

  9  which describes the policies, processes, and procedures

10  governing the dispatch of vehicles, the triage, prehospital

11  transport, and interfacility trauma transfer of trauma

12  victims.

13         (15)  "Trauma victim" means any person who has incurred

14  a single or multisystem injury due to blunt or penetrating

15  means or burns and who requires immediate medical intervention

16  or treatment.

17         Section 2.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section 395.401,

18  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

19         395.401  Trauma services system plans; verification of

20  trauma centers and pediatric trauma referral centers;

21  procedures; renewal.--

22         (1)  As used in this part, the term:

23         (a)  "Agency" means the Agency for Health Care

24  Administration.

25         (b)  "Charity care" or "uncompensated charity care"

26  means that portion of hospital charges reported to the agency

27  for which there is no compensation for care provided to a

28  patient whose family income for the 12 months preceding the

29  determination is less than or equal to 150 percent of the

30  federal poverty level, unless the amount of hospital charges

31  due from the patient exceeds 25 percent of the annual family

                                  4

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1  income. However, in no case shall the hospital charges for a

  2  patient whose family income exceeds four times the federal

  3  poverty level for a family of four be considered charity.

  4         (c)  "Department" means the Department of Health.

  5         (d)  "Level I trauma center" means a hospital that is

  6  determined by the department to be in substantial compliance

  7  with trauma center and pediatric trauma referral center

  8  verification standards as established by rule of the

  9  department, and which:

10         1.  Has formal research and education programs for the

11  enhancement of trauma care.

12         2.  Serves as a resource facility to Level II trauma

13  centers, pediatric trauma referral centers, and community

14  hospitals.

15         3.  Ensures an organized system of trauma care.

16         (e)  "Level II trauma center" means a hospital that is

17  determined by the department to be in substantial compliance

18  with trauma center verification standards as established by

19  rule of the department, and which:

20         1.  Serves as a resource facility to community

21  hospitals.

22         2.  Ensures an organized system of trauma care.

23         (f)  "Pediatric trauma referral center" means a

24  hospital that is determined to be in substantial compliance

25  with pediatric trauma referral center standards as established

26  by rule of the department.

27         (g)  "State-approved trauma center" means a hospital

28  that has successfully completed the state-approved selection

29  process pursuant to s. 395.4025 and has been approved by the

30  department to operate as a trauma center in the state.

31

                                  5

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1         (h)  "State-sponsored trauma center" means a

  2  state-approved trauma center that receives state funding for

  3  trauma care services.

  4         (i)  "Trauma agency" means an agency established and

  5  operated by one or more counties, or an entity with which one

  6  or more counties contract, for the purpose of administering an

  7  inclusive regional trauma system.

  8         (j)  "Trauma alert victim" means a person who has

  9  incurred a single or multisystem injury due to blunt or

10  penetrating means or burns; who requires immediate medical

11  intervention or treatment; and who meets one or more of the

12  adult or pediatric scorecard criteria established by the

13  department by rule.

14         (k)  "Trauma center" means any hospital that has been

15  determined by the department to be in substantial compliance

16  with trauma center verification standards.

17         (l)  "Trauma scorecard" means a statewide methodology

18  adopted by the department by rule under which a person who has

19  incurred a traumatic injury is graded as to the severity of

20  his or her injuries or illness and which methodology is used

21  as the basis for making destination decisions.

22         (m)  "Trauma victim" means any person who has incurred

23  a single or multisystem injury due to blunt or penetrating

24  means or burns and who requires immediate medical intervention

25  or treatment.

26         (1)(2)(a)  The local and regional trauma agencies shall

27  plan, implement, and evaluate trauma services systems, in

28  accordance with this section and ss. 395.4015, 395.404, and

29  395.4045, which consist of organized patterns of readiness and

30  response services based on public and private agreements and

31  operational procedures.

                                  6

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1         (b)  The local and regional trauma agencies shall

  2  develop and submit to the department plans for local and

  3  regional trauma services systems. The plans must include, at a

  4  minimum, the following components:

  5         1.  The organizational structure of the trauma system.

  6         2.  Prehospital care management guidelines for triage

  7  and transportation of trauma cases.

  8         3.  Flow patterns of trauma cases and transportation

  9  system design and resources, including air transportation

10  services, and provision for interfacility trauma transfer, and

11  the prehospital transportation of trauma victims. The trauma

12  agency shall plan for the development of a system of

13  transportation of trauma alert victims to trauma centers where

14  the distance or time to a trauma center or transportation

15  resources diminish access by trauma alert victims.

16         4.  The number and location of needed state-approved

17  trauma centers based on local needs, population, and location

18  and distribution of resources.

19         5.  Data collection regarding system operation and

20  patient outcome.

21         6.  Periodic performance evaluation of the trauma

22  system and its components.

23         7.  The use of air transport services within the

24  jurisdiction of the local trauma agency.

25         8.  Public information and education about the trauma

26  system.

27         9.  Emergency medical services communication system

28  usage and dispatching.

29         10.  The coordination and integration between the

30  verified trauma care facility and the nonverified health care

31  facilities.

                                  7

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1         11.  Medical control and accountability.

  2         12.  Quality control and system evaluation.

  3         (c)  The department shall receive plans for the

  4  implementation of inclusive trauma systems from trauma

  5  agencies.  The department may approve or not approve trauma

  6  agency plans based on the conformance of the plan with this

  7  section and ss. 395.4015, 395.404, and 395.4045 and the rules

  8  adopted by the department pursuant to those sections.  The

  9  department shall approve or disapprove the plans within 120

10  days after the date the plans are submitted to the department.

11         (d)  A trauma agency shall not operate unless the

12  department has approved the local or regional trauma services

13  system plan of the agency.

14         (e)  The department may grant an exception to a portion

15  of the rules adopted pursuant to this section or s. 395.4015

16  if the local or regional trauma agency proves that, as defined

17  in the rules, compliance with that requirement would not be in

18  the best interest of the persons served within the affected

19  local or regional trauma area.

20         (f)  A local or regional trauma agency may implement a

21  trauma care system only if the system meets the minimum

22  standards set forth in the rules for implementation

23  established by the department and if the plan has been

24  submitted to, and approved by, the department.  At least 60

25  days before the local or regional trauma agency submits the

26  plan for the trauma care system to the department, the local

27  or regional trauma agency shall hold a public hearing and give

28  adequate notice of the public hearing to all hospitals and

29  other interested parties in the area to be included in the

30  proposed system.

31

                                  8

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1         (g)  Local or regional trauma agencies may enter into

  2  contracts for the purpose of implementing the local or

  3  regional plan.  If local or regional agencies contract with

  4  hospitals for trauma services, such agencies must contract

  5  only with hospitals which are verified trauma centers.

  6         (h)  Local or regional trauma agencies providing

  7  service for more than one county shall, as part of their

  8  formation, establish interlocal agreements between or among

  9  the several counties in the regional system.

10         (i)  This section does not restrict the authority of a

11  health care facility to provide service for which it has

12  received a license pursuant to this chapter.

13         (j)  Any hospital which is verified as a trauma center

14  shall accept all trauma victims that are appropriate for the

15  facility regardless of race, sex, creed, or ability to pay.

16         (k)  It is unlawful for any hospital or other facility

17  to hold itself out as a trauma center unless it has been so

18  verified.

19         (l)  A county, upon the recommendations of the local or

20  regional trauma agency, may adopt ordinances governing the

21  transport of a patient who is receiving care in the field from

22  prehospital emergency medical personnel when the patient meets

23  specific criteria for trauma, burn, or pediatric centers

24  adopted by the local or regional trauma agency.  These

25  ordinances must be consistent with s. 395.4045, ordinances

26  adopted under s. 401.25(6), and the local or regional trauma

27  system plan and, to the furthest possible extent, must ensure

28  that individual patients receive appropriate medical care

29  while protecting the interests of the community at large by

30  making maximum use of available emergency medical care

31  resources.

                                  9

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1         (m)  The local or regional trauma agency shall,

  2  consistent with the regional trauma system plan, coordinate

  3  and otherwise facilitate arrangements necessary to develop a

  4  trauma services system.

  5         (n)  After the submission of the initial trauma system

  6  plan, each trauma agency shall, every 5th year, submit to the

  7  department for approval an updated plan that identifies the

  8  changes, if any, to be made in the regional trauma system.

  9         (o)  This section does not preclude a local or regional

10  trauma agency from adopting trauma care system standards.

11         Section 3.  Paragraphs (d), (l), and (n) of subsection

12  (2) of section 395.4015, Florida Statutes, are amended, and

13  subsection (4) is added to that section, to read:

14         395.4015  State regional trauma planning; trauma

15  regions.--

16         (2)  The department shall develop trauma systems plans

17  for the department-defined trauma regions which include at a

18  minimum the following components:

19         (d)  Flow patterns of trauma cases and transportation

20  system design and resources, including air transportation

21  services, and provision for interfacility trauma transfer, and

22  the prehospital transportation of trauma victims. The

23  department shall plan for the development of a system of

24  transportation of trauma alert victims to trauma centers where

25  the distance or time to a trauma center or transportation

26  resources diminish access by trauma alert victims.

27         (l)  The coordination and integration between the

28  state-sponsored trauma centers, verified trauma centers, and

29  other health care facilities which may provide services to

30  trauma victims.

31         (n)  Quality management control and system evaluation.

                                  10

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1         (4)  The department shall use the state trauma system

  2  plan as the basis for establishing a statewide inclusive

  3  trauma system.

  4         Section 4.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section

  5  395.4025, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  6         395.4025  Selection of state-approved trauma centers.--

  7         (2)

  8         (b)  By October 15, the department shall send to all

  9  hospitals that submitted a letter of intent an application

10  package that will provide the hospitals with instructions for

11  submitting information to the department for selection as a

12  state-approved trauma center. The standards for verification

13  of trauma centers and pediatric trauma referral centers

14  provided for in s. 395.401(2)(3), as adopted by rule of the

15  department, shall serve as the basis for these instructions.

16         Section 5.  Section 395.4045, Florida Statutes, is

17  amended to read:

18         395.4045  Emergency medical service providers; trauma

19  transport protocols; transport of trauma alert victims to

20  trauma centers; interfacility transfer.--

21         (1)  Each emergency medical services provider licensed

22  under chapter 401 shall transport trauma alert victims to

23  hospitals approved as trauma centers, except as may be

24  provided for either in the department-approved local or

25  regional trauma transport protocol of the trauma agency for

26  the geographical area in which the emergency medical services

27  licensee provides services or, if no such department-approved

28  local or regional trauma transport protocol is in effect, as

29  provided for in a department-approved provider's trauma

30  transport protocol.

31

                                  11

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1         (2)  A trauma agency may develop a uniform trauma

  2  transport protocol that is applicable to the emergency medical

  3  services licensees providing services within the geographical

  4  boundaries of the trauma agency. Development of a uniform

  5  trauma protocol by a trauma agency regional trauma protocols

  6  shall be through consultation with interested parties,

  7  including, but not limited to, each approved trauma center;

  8  physicians specializing in trauma care, emergency care, and

  9  surgery in the region; each trauma system administrator in the

10  region; and each emergency medical service provider in the

11  region licensed under chapter 401, and such providers'

12  respective medical directors.

13         (3)  Trauma alert victims shall be identified through

14  the use of a trauma scoring system, including adult and

15  pediatric assessment as specified in rule of the department.

16  The rule shall also include the requirements of licensed

17  emergency medical services providers for performing and

18  documenting these assessments.

19         (4)  The department shall specify by rule the subjects

20  and the minimum criteria related to prehospital trauma

21  transport, trauma center or hospital destination

22  determinations, and interfacility trauma transfer to be

23  included in a trauma agency's or an emergency medical service

24  provider's trauma transport protocol and shall approve or

25  disapprove each such protocol. Trauma transport protocol rules

26  pertaining to the air transportation of trauma victims shall

27  be consistent with, but not limited to, applicable Federal

28  Aviation Administration regulation. Emergency medical services

29  licensees and trauma agencies shall be subject to monitoring

30  by the department, under ss. 395.401(3) and 402.31(1) for

31

                                  12

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1  compliance with requirements, as applicable, regarding trauma

  2  transport protocols and the transport of trauma victims.

  3         (5)  If there is no department-approved trauma agency

  4  trauma transport protocol for the geographical area in which

  5  the emergency medical services license applicant intends to

  6  provide services, as provided for in subsection (1), each

  7  applicant for licensure as an emergency medical services

  8  provider, under chapter 401, must submit and obtain department

  9  approval of a trauma transport protocol prior to the

10  department granting a license. The department shall prescribe

11  by rule the submission and approval process for an applicant's

12  trauma transport protocols whether the applicant will be using

13  a trauma agency's or its own trauma transport protocol.

14         (6)(2)  If an air ambulance service is available in the

15  trauma service area in which an emergency medical service

16  provider is located, trauma transport protocols shall not

17  provide for transport outside of the trauma service area

18  unless otherwise provided for by written mutual agreement.  If

19  air ambulance service is not available and there is no

20  agreement for interagency transport of trauma patients between

21  two adjacent local or regional trauma agencies, both of which

22  include at least one approved trauma center, then the

23  transport of a trauma patient with an immediately

24  life-threatening condition shall be to the most appropriate

25  trauma center as defined pursuant to trauma transport

26  protocols approved by the department. The provisions of this

27  subsection shall apply only to those counties with a

28  population in excess of 1 million residents.

29         (7)  The medical director of an emergency medical

30  services provider licensed under chapter 401 shall have

31

                                  13

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1  medical responsibility and accountability for the trauma

  2  victim during an interfacility trauma transfer.

  3         (8)  The department shall adopt and enforce all rules

  4  necessary to administer this section. The department shall

  5  adopt and enforce rules to specify the submission and approval

  6  process for trauma transport protocols or modifications to

  7  trauma transport protocols by trauma agencies and licensed

  8  emergency medical services providers.

  9         Section 6.  Section 395.405, Florida Statutes, is

10  amended to read:

11         395.405  Rulemaking authority.--The department shall

12  adopt and enforce all rules necessary to administer to

13  implement ss. 395.0199, 395.4001, 395.401, 395.4015, 395.402,

14  395.4025, 395.403, 395.404, and 395.4045.

15         Section 7.  Subsection (8) of section 395.50, Florida

16  Statutes, is amended to read:

17         395.50  Quality assurance activities of trauma

18  agencies.--

19         (8)  Nothing in this section, ss. 395.4001-395.405

20  395.401-395.405, or s. 395.51 prohibits admitting into

21  evidence patient care, transport, or treatment records or

22  reports, or records or reports of the department in any civil

23  or administrative action brought by or involving the

24  department, excluding the name, residence or business address,

25  telephone number, social security or other identifying number,

26  or photograph of any person or the spouse, relative, or

27  guardian of such person or other patient-specific information

28  that otherwise identifies the patient, either directly or

29  indirectly.

30         Section 8.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section

31  322.0602, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

                                  14

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1         322.0602  Youthful Drunk Driver Visitation Program.--

  2         (4)  VISITATION REQUIREMENT.--

  3         (a)  To the extent that personnel and facilities are

  4  made available to the court, the court may include a

  5  requirement for supervised visitation by the probationer to

  6  all, or any, of the following:

  7         1.  A trauma center, as defined in s. 395.4001 395.401,

  8  or a hospital as defined in s. 395.002, which regularly

  9  receives victims of vehicle accidents, between the hours of 10

10  p.m. and 2 a.m. on a Friday or Saturday night, in order to

11  observe appropriate victims of vehicle accidents involving

12  drinking drivers, under the supervision of any of the

13  following:

14         a.  A registered nurse trained in providing emergency

15  trauma care or prehospital advanced life support.

16         b.  An emergency room physician.

17         c.  An emergency medical technician.

18         2.  A licensed service provider, as defined in s.

19  397.311, which cares for substance abuse impaired persons, to

20  observe persons in the terminal stages of substance abuse

21  impairment, under the supervision of appropriately licensed

22  medical personnel. Prior to any visitation of such terminally

23  ill or disabled persons, the persons or their legal

24  representatives must give their express consent to participate

25  in the visitation program.

26         3.  If approved by the county coroner, the county

27  coroner's office or the county morgue to observe appropriate

28  victims of vehicle accidents involving drinking drivers, under

29  the supervision of the coroner or a deputy coroner.

30         Section 9.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (12) of section

31  440.13, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

                                  15

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1         440.13  Medical services and supplies; penalty for

  2  violations; limitations.--

  3         (12)  CREATION OF THREE-MEMBER PANEL; GUIDES OF MAXIMUM

  4  REIMBURSEMENT ALLOWANCES.--

  5         (c)  Reimbursement for all fees and other charges for

  6  such treatment, care, and attendance, including treatment,

  7  care, and attendance provided by any hospital or other health

  8  care provider, ambulatory surgical center, work-hardening

  9  program, or pain program, must not exceed the amounts provided

10  by the uniform schedule of maximum reimbursement allowances as

11  determined by the panel or as otherwise provided in this

12  section. This subsection also applies to independent medical

13  examinations performed by health care providers under this

14  chapter. Until the three-member panel approves a uniform

15  schedule of maximum reimbursement allowances and it becomes

16  effective, all compensable charges for treatment, care, and

17  attendance provided by physicians, ambulatory surgical

18  centers, work-hardening programs, or pain programs shall be

19  reimbursed at the lowest maximum reimbursement allowance

20  across all 1992 schedules of maximum reimbursement allowances

21  for the services provided regardless of the place of service.

22  In determining the uniform schedule, the panel shall first

23  approve the data which it finds representative of prevailing

24  charges in the state for similar treatment, care, and

25  attendance of injured persons. Each health care provider,

26  health care facility, ambulatory surgical center,

27  work-hardening program, or pain program receiving workers'

28  compensation payments shall maintain records verifying their

29  usual charges. In establishing the uniform schedule of maximum

30  reimbursement allowances, the panel must consider:

31

                                  16

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1         1.  The levels of reimbursement for similar treatment,

  2  care, and attendance made by other health care programs or

  3  third-party providers;

  4         2.  The impact upon cost to employers for providing a

  5  level of reimbursement for treatment, care, and attendance

  6  which will ensure the availability of treatment, care, and

  7  attendance required by injured workers;

  8         3.  The financial impact of the reimbursement

  9  allowances upon health care providers and health care

10  facilities, including trauma centers as defined in s. 395.4001

11  395.401, and its effect upon their ability to make available

12  to injured workers such medically necessary remedial

13  treatment, care, and attendance. The uniform schedule of

14  maximum reimbursement allowances must be reasonable, must

15  promote health care cost containment and efficiency with

16  respect to the workers' compensation health care delivery

17  system, and must be sufficient to ensure availability of such

18  medically necessary remedial treatment, care, and attendance

19  to injured workers; and

20         4.  The most recent average maximum allowable rate of

21  increase for hospitals determined by the Health Care Board

22  under chapter 408.

23         Section 10.  This act shall take effect October 1,

24  2000.

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

                                  17

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                  SB 2624
    27-1088-00                                         See HB 1991




  1            *****************************************

  2                       LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY

  3
      Revises definitions relating to the provision of trauma
  4    services.  Revises minimum components for the local and
      regional trauma services system plans and the state
  5    regional trauma system plans, and provides for a
      statewide inclusive trauma system. Revises requirements
  6    relating to trauma transport protocols, and provides for
      uniform protocols. Revises requirements relating to the
  7    trauma scoring system and trauma transport protocols, and
      rules related thereto. Provides medical responsibility
  8    and accountability of the medical director of a licensed
      emergency services provider for trauma victims during
  9    interfacility trauma transfer. Requires the Department of
      Health to adopt and enforce certain rules. (See bill for
10    details.)

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

                                  18