New Compliance Requirements for Florida Hospitals with Emergency Departments
Florida Governor Ron De Santis has signed the “Live Healthy” legislative package into law, which enhances current policies and includes $716 million in health care investments. The purpose of the legislative package is to strengthen Florida’s health care workforce, broaden access to quality health care, and foster innovation in the industry. The new laws introduce new compliance requirements for hospitals with emergency departments.
The bills signed by Governor DeSantis on March 21, 2024, are:
- SB 7016, which creates and expands training programs that will help to develop and retain Florida’s health care workforce.
- SB 7018, which harnesses the innovation and creativity of entrepreneurs and industry leaders to meet the needs and challenges of Florida’s evolving health care system.
- SB 1758, which formalizes some of the work already underway within the Agency for Persons with Disabilities through the First Lady’s Hope Florida initiative.
- SB 330, which creates a new category of teaching hospitals dedicated to advancing behavioral health care through research, collaboration, and partnering with the state of Florida to address acute behavioral health care needs.
- SB 322, which creates public record and meeting exemptions for personal identifying information for practitioners participating in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, and the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact.
HIPAA Training
for Emergency Staff
Staff need to understand how HIPAA rules apply in emergencies so urgent care and coordination are not delayed by uncertainty about permitted disclosures and required privacy safeguards.
The Gold Standard in HIPAA Training
by The HIPAA Journal Team
HIPAA Training for Emergency Staff
Staff need to understand how HIPAA rules apply in emergencies so urgent care and coordination are not delayed by uncertainty about permitted disclosures and required privacy safeguards.
The Gold Standard in HIPAA Training by The HIPAA Journal Team
Lessons Cover Emerging Issues Like AI Tools | CEUs & Certificate | Completion Tracking |
“We are taking action to bolster our health care workforce to keep pace with our state’s unprecedented growth,” said Governor DeSantis. “I applaud Senate President Passidomo for her dedication to this cause, which contributes to positioning Florida as the freest and healthiest state in the nation.”
New Compliance Requirements for Florida Hospitals with Emergency Departments
One of the bills, SB 7016, introduces new rules for hospitals with emergency departments (EDs), including hospitals with off-campus EDs. In Florida, many patients use EDs for non-emergency care or seek emergency care that could have been avoided if they received regular primary care. The bill requires hospitals with EDs to submit a diversion plan to the state that details how they will help these patients access the appropriate care setting if they present to the ED with a non-emergent condition or indicate that they do not have regular access to primary care.
The nonemergency care access plans (NCAPs), which must not conflict with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, will require state approval by July 1, 2025, after which hospitals will be required to submit their plans annually and demonstrate that they are effective. If the NCAP does not receive state approval, it must be updated before a license is granted or renewed.
For Medicaid patients, the NCAP must include outreach to the patient’s Medicaid managed care plan, and at least one of the following:
- A partnership agreement with at least one local federally qualified health center or another primary care setting. Staff at the ED must proactively seek to establish a relationship between the patient and the federally qualified health center or primary care setting if the patient indicates they do not have regular access to primary care.
- The establishment and operation of a hospital-owned urgent care center within or in close proximity to the hospital ED, to which the patient can be diverted if, after an initial screening, the patient requires non-emergent healthcare services.
HIPAA Training
for Emergency Staff
Staff need to understand how HIPAA rules apply in emergencies so urgent care and coordination are not delayed by uncertainty about permitted disclosures and required privacy safeguards.
The Gold Standard in HIPAA Training
by The HIPAA Journal Team
HIPAA Training for Emergency Staff
Staff need to understand how HIPAA rules apply in emergencies so urgent care and coordination are not delayed by uncertainty about permitted disclosures and required privacy safeguards.
The Gold Standard in HIPAA Training by The HIPAA Journal Team
Lessons Cover Emerging Issues Like AI Tools | CEUs & Certificate | Completion Tracking |
HIPAA Training
for Emergency Staff
Staff need to understand how the HIPAA applies in emergencies so urgent care and coordination are not delayed by uncertainty about permitted disclosures and required privacy safeguards.
The Gold Standard in HIPAA Training
by The HIPAA Journal Team
