FL S1976

Defines "freestanding emergency department" as a facility providing emergency services, owned and operated by a licensed hospital under the hospital's license, located on separate premises from the hospital.

Prohibits freestanding emergency departments from holding themselves out as urgent care centers unless operating under section 395.107 and providing urgent care services not billed at emergency department rates.

Requires freestanding emergency departments to display prominent external signage with the word "EMERGENCY" and hospital name, plus conspicuous interior/exterior signs at least 2 square feet with 36-point text stating "THIS IS A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT" and billing rate information.

Mandates health insurers post information on their websites regarding appropriate use of emergency care services, including comparisons of urgent care and freestanding emergency department charges, impact examples, and interactive tools to locate urgent care centers; requires annual updates.

Requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to post information on its website describing differences between freestanding emergency departments and urgent care centers, updated annually, with hospitals required to link to this information on their websites.

Effective July 1, 2021.