CS/HB 545 Summary

• Creates section 456.47, Florida Statutes, defining "telehealth" as synchronous or asynchronous telecommunications technology used to provide health care services including diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and education, excluding audio-only calls, emails, and faxes.

• Establishes that telehealth providers must meet the same standard of care as in-person providers and are not required to research patient medical history or conduct physical examinations if the evaluation is sufficient to diagnose and treat the patient.

• Authorizes licensed telehealth providers to prescribe controlled substances in Schedules II-V via telehealth, except telehealth cannot be used to prescribe controlled substances for treating chronic nonmalignant pain unless ordered by a physician for inpatients in licensed facilities.

• Requires telehealth providers to document health care services in patient medical records using the same standard as in-person services consistent with existing medical record requirements.

• Excludes telehealth products from the definition of "discount medical plan" under section 636.202, Florida Statutes.

• Takes effect July 1, 2015.