FL H0023

Creates s. 456.47, F.S., establishing a legal framework for telehealth in Florida, defined as the use of synchronous or asynchronous telecommunications technology to provide health care services such as assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and monitoring — explicitly excluding audio-only phone calls, emails, and faxes

Allows out-of-state health care professionals to provide telehealth services to Florida patients by registering with the Department of Health, provided they hold an active, unencumbered license in another U.S. jurisdiction, have no disciplinary actions in the prior 5 years, designate a registered agent for service of process, and maintain professional liability coverage

Restricts telehealth providers from prescribing controlled substances except for psychiatric treatment, inpatient hospital treatment, hospice care, or nursing home facility residents

Requires contracts between health insurers or HMOs and telehealth providers, effective January 1, 2020, to be voluntary and establish mutually acceptable payment rates, with any contract provision distinguishing telehealth payment rates from in-person rates requiring the telehealth provider's initials

Appropriates $261,389 in recurring funds and $15,020 in nonrecurring funds from the Medical Quality Assurance Trust Fund to the Department of Health for fiscal year 2019-2020, along with 4 full-time equivalent positions, to implement the telehealth registration program