FL S0474

Department of Elderly Affairs and Agency for Health Care Administration must adopt national hospice outcome measures and survey data by December 31, 2019, and make them available to the public in a consumer-friendly format allowing comparison between hospices.

Hospice physicians, nurses, and social workers are authorized to assist in disposing of controlled substances prescribed to patients at time of death, provided the hospice establishes written policies and procedures for disposal and obtains family permission.

Patient records retention period increased from 5 years to 6 years after termination of hospice services; for minor patients, the 6-year period begins when the patient reaches age of majority.

Interdisciplinary records of patient care and billing records are confidential and can only be released with patient authorization, legal representative authorization, court order, or to state/federal agencies for aggregate statistical data.

Effective date: July 1, 2017.