Florida

At A Glance

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MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT

Live Video: Yes
Store-and-Forward: Yes
Remote Patient Monitoring: Yes
Audio Only: No

PRIVATE PAYER LAW

Law Exists: Yes
Payment Parity: No

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Licensure Compacts: ASLP, CC, IMLC, NLC, PSY
Consent Requirements: No

STATE RESOURCES

Medicaid Program: Florida Medicaid
Administrator: Florida Dept. of Children and Families
Regional Telehealth Resource Center: Southeast Telehealth Resource Center

Private Payer

Last updated 06/11/2024

Definitions

“Telehealth” means the use of synchronous or asynchronous telecommunications technology by a telehealth provider to provide health care services, including, but not limited to, assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and monitoring of a patient; transfer of medical data; patient and professional health-related education; public health services; and health administration. The term does not include e-mail messages or facsimile transmissions.

SOURCE: FL Statute 456.47, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Last updated 06/11/2024

Parity

SERVICE PARITY

SOURCE: FL Statute 641.31 (45). & 627.42396. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

PAYMENT PARITY

A contract between a health maintenance organization [health insurer] issuing major medical individual or group coverage and a telehealth provider, as defined in s. 456.47, must be voluntary between the health maintenance organization and the provider and must establish mutually acceptable payment rates or payment methodologies for services provided through telehealth. Any contract provision that distinguishes between payment rates or payment methodologies for services provided through telehealth and the same services provided without the use of telehealth must be initialed by the telehealth provider.

SOURCE: FL Statute 641.31. & 641.42396. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Last updated 06/11/2024

Requirements

Contracts between health insurers or health maintenance organizations and telehealth providers must be voluntary and must be voluntary between the health maintenance organization and the provider and must establish mutually acceptable payment rates or payment methodologies for services provided through telehealth. Any contract provision that distinguishes between payment rates or payment methodologies for services provided through telehealth and the same services provided without the use of telehealth must be initialed by the telehealth provider.

SOURCE: FL Statute 641.31 (45). & 627.42396. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Effective January 1, 2024, the Division of State Group Insurance shall continue to allow service delivery through telehealth in its health benefits contracts.

SOURCE: FL Senate Bill 2500, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Medicaid

Last updated 06/11/2024

Definitions

Telemedicine is the practice of health care delivery by a practitioner who is in a site other than the site where a recipient is located, using interactive telecommunications equipment that minimally includes real time, two-way interactive communication between a recipient and a practitioner using audio and video equipment.

SOURCE: FL Medicaid, Alert, Ending of Federal Public Health Emergency: Updated Co-Payment and Telemedicine Guidance for Medical and Behavioral Health Providers, May 4, 2023, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Telemedicine – The practice of health care delivery by a practitioner who is located at a site other than the site where a recipient is located for the purposes of evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment.

SOURCE: FL Admin Code 59G-1.057. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Substance Abuse Services

“Telehealth” as defined in Section 456.47(1)(a), F.S.

SOURCE: FL Admin Code 65D-30.002 & FL Statute 456.47, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Children’s Medical Services

Telemedicine is “the use of telecommunication and information technology to provide clinical care to individuals at a distance, and to transmit the information needed to provide that care.”

SOURCE: FL Admin Code 64C-8-001(6). (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Last updated 06/11/2024

Email, Phone & Fax

Florida Medicaid will cover telehealth services in accordance with the Agency’s promulgated Telemedicine rule and will no longer cover audio-only telehealth services.

SOURCE: FL Medicaid, Alert, Ending of Federal Public Health Emergency: Updated Co-Payment and Telemedicine Guidance for Medical and Behavioral Health Providers, May 4, 2023, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

No reimbursement for telephone, chart review, electronic mail messages or facsimile transmissions.

SOURCE: FL Admin Code 59G-1.057. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Laboratory Services – Specific Non-Covered Criteria

Telephone communications with recipients, their representatives, caregivers, and other providers, except for services rendered in accordance with Rule 59G-1.057, F.A.C.

SOURCE: FL Medicaid, Laboratory Services, Jan. 2024, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Last updated 06/11/2024

Live Video

POLICY

During the federal PHE, the Agency provided expansive coverage for telemedicine services. Effective May 11, 2023, Florida Medicaid will cover telehealth services in accordance with the Agency’s promulgated Telemedicine rule and will no longer cover audio-only telehealth services. Florida Medicaid will continue to cover store-and-forward and remote patient monitoring services.

As a reminder, Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) plans may provide more expansive coverage than what is in Agency rule, including telemedicine and waiving co-payments. However, SMMC plans may not be more restrictive than Agency rule.

SOURCE: FL Medicaid, Alert, Ending of Federal Public Health Emergency: Updated Co-Payment and Telemedicine Guidance for Medical and Behavioral Health Providers, May 4, 2023, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

FL Medicaid reimburses for real time, two-way, interactive telemedicine.

Providers must include the GT modifier.

SOURCE: FL Admin Code 59G-1.057. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

ELIGIBLE SERVICES/SPECIALTIES

List of eligible community behavioral health services is provided in Provider Alert. See alert for procedure codes, modifiers and telemedicine modifiers.

SOURCE: FL Medicaid, Alert, Community Behavioral Health Telemedicine-Eligible Services, May 12, 2023, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Florida Medicaid reimburses the practitioner who is providing the evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation located at a site other than where the recipient is located.

SOURCE: FL Admin Code 59G-1.057. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Behavioral Analysis

The Lead Analyst may provide up to two hours per week of training to parents or guardians via telemedicine in accordance with Rule 59G-1.057, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

SOURCE: FL Medicaid, Behavior Analysis Services Coverage Policy, Sept. 2023, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS

Telemedicine is available for use by all providers of Florida Medicaid services that are enrolled in or registered with the Florida Medicaid program and who are licensed within their scope of practice to perform the service.

SOURCE: FL Admin Code 59G-1.057. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

ELIGIBLE SITES

No Reference Found

GEOGRAPHIC LIMITS

No Reference Found

FACILITY/TRANSMISSION FEE

No Reference Found

Last updated 06/11/2024

Miscellaneous

Substance Abuse Services – Telehealth

Providers shall maintain policies and procedures outlining how they will provide services through telehealth as described in subsection 65D-30.003(1), F.A.C.

Providers delivering services through telehealth shall provide the service to the same extent the service would be delivered if provided through an in-person service delivery with a provider.

Providers delivering any services by telehealth are responsible for the quality of the equipment and technology employed. Providers are responsible for its safe use. Providers utilizing telehealth equipment and technology must be able meet or exceed the prevailing standard of care. Service providers must meet the following additional requirements:

Must be capable of two (2)-way, real-time electronic communication, and the security of the technology must be in accordance with applicable federal confidentiality regulations 45 CFR §164.312;

The interactive telecommunication equipment must include audio and high-resolution video equipment which allows the staff providing the service to clearly understand and view the individual receiving services

SOURCE: FL Admin Code Sec. 65D-30.004. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

No reimbursement for equipment used to provide telemedicine services.

SOURCE: FL Admin Code 59G-1.057. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Telehealth Minority Maternity Care Pilot Programs

By July 1, 2022, the department shall establish a telehealth minority maternity care pilot program in Duval County and Orange County which uses telehealth to expand the capacity for positive maternal health outcomes in racial and ethnic minority populations. The department shall direct and assist the county health departments in Duval County and Orange County to implement the programs. The pilot programs shall adopt the use of telehealth or coordinate with prenatal home visiting programs to provide services and education to eligible pregnant women up to the last day of their postpartum periods and provide training to participating health care practitioners and other perinatal professionals.

SOURCE: FL Statute 383.2163. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Early Learning Mental Health Assistance Program

Contracts or interagency agreements with one or more local community behavioral health providers or providers of Community Action Team services to provide a behavioral health staff presence and services at district schools. Services may include, but are not limited to, mental health screenings and assessments, individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling, psychiatric or psychological services, trauma-informed care, mobile crisis services, and behavior modification. These behavioral health services may be provided on or off the school campus and may be supplemented by telehealth as defined in s. 456.47(1).

Policies of the school district which must require that in a student crisis situation, school or law enforcement personnel must make a reasonable attempt to contact a mental health professional who may initiate an involuntary examination pursuant to s. 394.463, unless the child poses an imminent danger to themselves or others, before initiating an involuntary examination pursuant to s. 394.463. Such contact may be in person or through telehealth. The mental health professional may be available to the school district either by a contract or interagency agreement with the managing entity, one or more local community-based behavioral health providers, or the local mobile response team, or be a direct or contracted school district employee.

SOURCE: FL Statute Sec. 1006.041. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Last updated 06/11/2024

Out of State Providers

No Reference Found

Last updated 06/11/2024

Overview

FL Medicaid reimburses for real time interactive telemedicine according to administrative code, however there is no indication of reimbursement in any Medicaid Manual. A recently released Medicaid notice to clarify Medicaid policy post-COVID public health emergency states that FL Medicaid will continue to cover store-and-forward and remote patient monitoring services, but will no longer cover audio-only telehealth services.

Last updated 06/11/2024

Remote Patient Monitoring

POLICY

Florida Medicaid will continue to cover store-and-forward and remote patient monitoring services.

SOURCE: FL Medicaid, Alert, Ending of Federal Public Health Emergency: Updated Co-Payment and Telemedicine Guidance for Medical and Behavioral Health Providers, May 4, 2023, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Subject to the availability of funds and subject to any limitations or directions provided in the General Appropriations Act, the agency must provide coverage for a continuous glucose monitor under certain circumstances.

SOURCE: FL Statute Sec. 409.9063, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

CONDITIONS

The recipient has been diagnosed by his or her primary care physician, or another licensed health care practitioner authorized to make such diagnosis, with Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or any other type of diabetes that may be treated with insulin; and
A health care practitioner with the applicable prescribing authority has prescribed insulin to treat the recipient’s diabetes and a continuous glucose monitor to assist the recipient and practitioner in managing the recipient’s diabetes.

SOURCE: FL Statute Sec. 409.9063, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

PROVIDER LIMITATIONS

No Reference Found

OTHER RESTRICTIONS

Coverage under this section includes the cost of any necessary repairs or replacement parts for the continuous glucose monitor.

To qualify for continued coverage under this section, the Medicaid recipient must participate in follow-up care with his or her treating health care practitioner, in person or through telehealth, at least once every 6 months during the first 18 months after the first prescription of the continuous glucose monitor for the recipient has been issued under this section, to assess the efficacy of using the monitor for treatment of his or her diabetes. After the first 18 months, such follow-up care must occur at least once every 12 months.

SOURCE: FL Statute Sec. 409.9063, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Last updated 06/11/2024

Store and Forward

POLICY

Florida Medicaid will continue to cover store-and-forward and remote patient monitoring services.

SOURCE: FL Medicaid, Alert, Ending of Federal Public Health Emergency: Updated Co-Payment and Telemedicine Guidance for Medical and Behavioral Health Providers, May 4, 2023, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

ELIGIBLE SERVICES/SPECIALTIES

No Reference Found

GEOGRAPHIC LIMITS

No Reference Found

TRANSMISSION FEE

No Reference Found

Professional Requirements

Last updated 06/11/2024

Cross State Licensing

A health care professional not licensed in this state may provide health care services to a patient located in this state using telehealth if the health care professional registers with the applicable board, or the department if there is no board, and provides health care services within the applicable scope of practice established by Florida law or rule.

The board, or the department if there is no board, shall register a health care professional not licensed in this state as a telehealth provider if the health care professional: See law for specific provider requirements.

A provider registered under this subsection shall maintain professional liability coverage or financial responsibility, that includes coverage or financial responsibility for telehealth services provided to patients not located in the provider’s home state, in an amount equal to or greater than the requirements for a licensed practitioner under s. 456.048, s. 458.320, or s. 459.0085, as applicable.

A health care professional registered under this subsection may not open an office in this state and may not provide in-person health care services to patients located in this state.

A pharmacist registered under this subsection may only use a pharmacy permitted under chapter 465, a nonresident pharmacy registered under s. 465.0156, or a nonresident pharmacy or outsourcing facility holding an active permit pursuant to s. 465.0158 to dispense medicinal drugs to patients located in this state.

A health care professional who is not licensed to provide health care services in this state but who holds an active license to provide health care services in another state or jurisdiction, and who provides health care services using telehealth to a patient located in this state, is not subject to the registration requirement under this section if the services are provided:

In response to an emergency medical condition as defined in s. 395.002; or
In consultation with a health care professional licensed in this state who has ultimate authority over the diagnosis and care of the patient.

SOURCE: FL Statute 456.47, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

The out-of-state telehealth provider registration is for health care practitioners licensed outside of Florida ONLY. Florida licensees can already provide telehealth services to patients in Florida that they can treat in person.

Health care practitioners with an out-of-state license or certification that falls under section 456.47(1)(b), F.S, qualify for an out-of-state telehealth provider registration number when they meet the following requirements: See webpage for requirements.

SOURCE: Florida Board of Medicine. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

FAQs related to out-of-state telehealth providers can be found on the FL Health Source website.

Last updated 06/11/2024

Definitions

SOURCE: FL Statute 456.47, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Substance Abuse Services

“Telehealth” as defined in Section 456.47(1)(a), F.S. (see above).

SOURCE: FL Admin Code 65D-30.002, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Children’s Medical Services

“Telemedicine” means “the use of telecommunication and information technology to provide clinical care to individuals at a distance and to transmit the information needed to provide that care.

SOURCE: FL Admin Code 64C-8.001. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Professional Counselor Licensure Compact

“Telehealth” means the application of telecommunication technology to deliver professional counseling services remotely to assess, diagnose, and treat behavioral health conditions.

SOURCE: FL Statute 491.017 (Article II (25)). (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Last updated 06/11/2024

Licensure Compacts

Member of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Interstate Compact.

SOURCE: ASLP Compact, Compact Map, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Member of the Counseling Compact.

SOURCE: Counseling Compact Map. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Member of Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

SOURCE: Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, Compact Map, & Senate Bill 7016 (2024 Session), (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Member of the Nurses Licensure Compact.

SOURCE: Current NLC States & Status. Nurse Licensure Compact. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.

SOURCE: PSYPACt, Map, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

* See Compact websites for implementation and license issuing status and other related requirements.

Last updated 06/11/2024

Miscellaneous

Mental health and substance abuse facilities are authorized to release individuals subject to involuntary examination upon documented approval of a provider. The release may be approved through telehealth.

SOURCE: FL Statute 394.463(2)(f) (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Last updated 06/11/2024

Online Prescribing

A telehealth provider may use telehealth to perform a patient evaluation. If a telehealth provider conducts a patient evaluation sufficient to diagnose and treat the patient, the telehealth provider is not required to research a patient’s medical history or conduct a physical examination of the patient before using telehealth to provide health care services to the patient.

A telehealth provider may not use telehealth to prescribe a controlled substance listed in Schedule II of s. 893.03 unless the controlled substance is prescribed for the following:

The treatment of a psychiatric disorder;
Inpatient treatment at a hospital licensed under chapter 395;
The treatment of a patient receiving hospice services as defined in s. 400.601; or
The treatment of a resident of a nursing home facility as defined in s. 400.021.

SOURCE: FL Statute 456.47. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Effective once certain contingencies are met:

Only a physician may perform or induce a termination of pregnancy. A physician may not use telehealth as defined in s. 456.47 to perform an abortion, including, but not limited to, medical abortions. Any medications intended for use in a medical abortion must be dispensed in person by a physician and may not be dispensed through the United States Postal Service or by any other courier or shipping service.

SOURCE: FL Statute Sec. 390.0111, (see notes section for contingencies) (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Medical Marijuana

A qualified physician may issue a physician certification only if the qualified physician:

Conducted an examination of the patient and a full assessment of the medical history of the patient. Before issuing an initial certification to a patient, the qualified physician must conduct an in-person physical examination of the patient. For certification renewals, a qualified physician who has issued a certification to a patient after conducting an in-person physical examination may conduct subsequent examinations of that patient through telehealth as defined in s. 456.47. For the purposes of this subparagraph, the term “in-person physical examination” means an examination conducted by a qualified physician while the physician is physically present in the same room as the patient. (see statute for more requirements).

A qualified physician must evaluate an existing qualified patient at least once every 30 weeks before issuing a new physician certification. A qualified physician who has issued a certification to the patient after conducting an in-person physical examination as defined in subparagraph (a)1. may conduct the evaluation through telehealth as defined in s. 456.47. A physician must:

Determine if the patient still meets the requirements to be issued a physician certification under paragraph (a).
Identify and document in the qualified patient’s medical records whether the qualified patient experienced either of the following related to the medical use of marijuana:
- An adverse drug interaction with any prescription or nonprescription medication; or
- A reduction in the use of, or dependence on, other types of controlled substances as defined in s. 893.02.
Submit a report with the findings required pursuant to subparagraph 2. to the department. The department shall submit such reports to the Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research established pursuant to s. 1004.4351.

SOURCE: FL Statute Sec. 381.986, (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Dental

An advertisement of dental services provided through telehealth as defined in s. 456.47(1) must include a disclaimer that reads, in a clearly legible font and size, “An in-person examination with a dentist licensed under chapter 466, Florida Statutes, is recommended before beginning telehealth treatment in order to prevent injury or harm” for each of the following services, if advertised:

The taking of an impression or the digital scanning of the human tooth, teeth, or jaws, directly or indirectly and by any means or method.
Furnishing, supplying, constructing, reproducing, or repairing any prosthetic denture, bridge, or appliance or any other structure designed to be worn in the human mouth.
Placing an appliance or a structure in the human mouth or adjusting or attempting to adjust the appliance or structure.
Correcting or attempting to correct malformations of teeth or jaws

SOURCE: FL Statute Sec. 466.019, & House Bill 855 (2024 Session), (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Last updated 06/11/2024

Professional Boards Standards

Health Professional Telehealth Practice Standards and Related Requirements

SOURCE: FL Statute 456.47. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Florida Department of Health Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions

SOURCE: FL Department of Health. Telehealth FAQs. (Accessed Jun. 2024).

Florida

MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT

PRIVATE PAYER LAW

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

STATE RESOURCES

Private Payer

Definitions

Parity

SERVICE PARITY

PAYMENT PARITY

Requirements

Medicaid

Consent Requirements

Definitions

Email, Phone & Fax

Live Video

POLICY

ELIGIBLE SERVICES/SPECIALTIES

ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS

ELIGIBLE SITES

GEOGRAPHIC LIMITS

FACILITY/TRANSMISSION FEE

Miscellaneous

Out of State Providers

Overview

Remote Patient Monitoring

POLICY

CONDITIONS

PROVIDER LIMITATIONS

OTHER RESTRICTIONS

Store and Forward

POLICY

ELIGIBLE SERVICES/SPECIALTIES

GEOGRAPHIC LIMITS

TRANSMISSION FEE

Professional Requirements

Consent Requirements

Cross State Licensing

Definitions

Licensure Compacts

Miscellaneous

Online Prescribing

Professional Boards Standards