FL S1594

Establishes licensure requirements for certified surgical first assistants in Florida, including age requirement of 18 years, current certification from recognized agencies (National Surgical Assistant Association, American Board of Surgical Assistants, or Liaison Council on Certification for Surgical Technologist), and application fee not to exceed $750.

Requires biennial license renewal with fee not to exceed $1,000 and completion of 40 hours of continuing medical education or maintenance of current certification from a recognized certifying agency.

Limits certified surgical first assistants to performing surgical assisting duties under direct physician supervision in hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, or similar medical institutions, with supervising physicians held individually or collectively liable for their performance.

Makes unlicensed individuals who represent themselves as licensed certified surgical first assistants subject to third-degree felony penalties and authorizes the Board of Medicine to deny, suspend, or revoke licensures for violations of chapters 456 or 458, Florida Statutes.

Amends insurance coverage provisions to require health insurance policies and plans to provide payment to certified surgical first assistants when substituting for assisting physicians, provided the certified surgical first assistant is paid by the health care facility or reimbursement for an assisting physician would otherwise be covered.