Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 44 bills into law recently, including FMA priority legislation that fixes many of the problems created by Florida’s 2020 pelvic exam consent law. For details and summaries of other key healthcare bills signed by the Governor, read an update from FMA General Counsel Jeff Scott, Esq.

Physicians who provide services for Florida Medicaid patients are required to enroll as participating providers with Florida Medicaid in accordance with federal requirements. This includes those who refer Florida Medicaid patients for other services, order services such as laboratory and imaging, serve as the attending physician in an institutional setting, and prescribe prescription drugs. Effective Oct. 1, 2021, any fee-for-service claim submitted to Florida Medicaid that identifies a physician who is not enrolled with Florida Medicaid will deny, and the billing provider will not receive reimbursement. This includes claims that identify a physician who only referred or ordered other services, and pharmacy claims. Additionally, Florida Medicaid patients will not be able to fill or refill prescriptions prescribed by physicians who are not enrolled. If you are a physician who provides any of these services, it is urgent that you enroll with Florida Medicaid before Oct. 1. Complete the online application process here. For more information about the Referring, Ordering, Prescribing, and Attending (ROPA) provider enrollment initiative, visit Florida Medicaid’s ROPA Provider Enrollment page.

The American Medical Association announced policies adopted by physician and medical student leaders from all corners of medicine at the Special Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates. Read more from Health IT Answers

Even as patients’ healthcare options multiply, a recent survey suggests that doctors’ offices remain the public’s favored sites of care. The results indicate that more than half of U.S. adults would pick a traditional physician’s office for wellness visits, blood work, and treatment for common illnesses. More from Morning Consult.

On June 28th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a series of provisions to follow through on President Biden’s commitment to build on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expand health coverage access and advance health equity. These provisions are the third installment of the payment notice for 2022. Read more from CMS..

Members of the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee have resigned following the agency's approval of the controversial Alzheimer's drug aducanumab (Aduhelm, Biogen/Eisai), against the committee's recommendation. Read more from MedScape.

A record one in four Americans are now covered by Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, following a sharp spike in enrollment during the coronavirus pandemic, according to new government data. Read more from Healthcare Dive.

Two Minutes - What's the Risk?

HCMA Benefit Provider, ProAssurance, has produced a series of two minute educational videos which include topics such as telemedicine & informed consent, COVID-19 topics, patient tracking/follow-up, documentation, using scribes, non-compliant patients, and recording patient conversations. Additional videos are uploaded to the ProAssurance Risk Resource YouTube page regularly, so keep checking back for other valuable information and advice. Click here to view the ProAssurance Risk Resource videos.

Subscribe to receive an email when new posts are added to the website. Examples of the types of updates provided by the subscription system includes changes in the law and board rules, reminders about legal requirements and updates that impact professionals and consumers in Florida. Scroll to the bottom of this page to sign up to receive notices from the Board.

FMA member and physician coach Amaryllis Sánchez Wohlever, MD, explores the unique restorative qualities of the great outdoors in this Moment of Wellness essay. “Silence coupled with beauty is powerful medicine for mind, body, and soul,” she writes.

A new survey from athenahealth reveals an array of findings around physician burnout and how administrative work is viewed as a significant pain point. Read more Hea!thcare Innovation.

Florida Healthcare Law Firm (FHLF) - Providing legal services to members with the right pricing, responsiveness, and ethics. FHLF offers a complimentary hotline, an “Online Store,” and free webinars for HCMA members. The Law Offices of Jeff Cohen, P.A. will answer your legal questions, at no cost. Contact the office, after hours, and you will receive a return call by noon the next business day and will obtain up to fifteen minutes of free legal advice from a Florida healthcare attorney. Contact Jeff Cohen, Esq. at 888-455-7702, 561.455.7700. The FHLF Online Store offers free legal documents, available for instant download. Audio/visual presentations are also available for purchase (HCMA members receive a 25% discount by using the discount code HCMA25). Visit the innovative resource center at www.FloridaHealthcareLawFirm.com or contact Jeff Cohen at JCohen@floridahealthcarelawfirm.com.

Calvary Community Free Clinic is seeking physicians (active or retired) to volunteer time and service to meet the healthcare needs of the uninsured and underserved in the community. Please contact Marcellina at 813-238-6000, via email, or visit our website for information about us www.calvarycommunityclinic.com.

For information on how to place a classified ad in Enews, contact Elke Lubin at the HCMA or complete and return this form.

The most current issue of HCMA's quarterly publication can be viewed online by clicking here. Previous issues are also available.

For advertising information, contact Elke Lubin, Managing Editor, or view the advertising opportunities on the HCMA website.