FL S0478

Creates section 456.4501, Florida Statutes, to define and establish practice standards for telehealth services provided by licensed health care providers.

Defines "telehealth" as synchronous or asynchronous telecommunications technology to provide health care services including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring; excludes audio-only transmissions, email, faxes, and out-of-state consultations.

Requires telehealth providers to meet the same standard of care as in-person providers; allows patient evaluations via telehealth without prior medical history review or physical examination if evaluation is sufficient for diagnosis and treatment.

Authorizes telehealth providers to prescribe controlled substances (Schedules I-V) except for chronic nonmalignant pain treatment; prohibits telehealth for prescribing optical devices or prescriptions based on computer-generated refractive error measurements.

Requires telehealth providers to document services in patient medical records using the same standards as in-person care; effective July 1, 2015.