DOH Releases Quarterly Report Covering Through March 2021
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law The Florida Department of Health’s Quarterly Performance Report (QPR) for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2020-2021, was recently released. It provides information and statistics on actions involving licensed health professionals through March 2021. Scope of the Florida […]
Department of Health Quarterly Report Released Covering Through March 2021
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law The Florida Department of Health’s Quarterly Performance Report (QPR) for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2020-2021, was recently released. It provides information and statistics on actions involving licensed health professionals through March 2021. Scope of the Florida […]
Review Your Department Of Health Practitioner Profile or it Could Cost You!
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law In 1997, the Florida Legislature passed a statute that requires the Department of Health (DOH) to maintain online practitioner profiles for certain health care professionals. Practitioner profiles are required for medical doctors, osteopathic physicians (DOs), chiropractors (DCs), advanced […]
You Could Face Steep Repercussions From License Discipline or Resignation After Notice of Investigation
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Do you have a dental, medical, pharmacy or nursing license in several different states? Do you have a license in more than one health care profession? Have you been notified that an investigation has been opened against you? […]
Review Your Florida DOH Practitioner Profile or it Could Cost You!
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law In 1997, the Florida Legislature passed a statute that requires the Department of Health (DOH) maintain online practitioner profiles for certain health care professionals. Practitioner profiles are required for medical doctors, osteopathic physicians (DOs), chiropractors (DCs), advanced practice […]
Although the Law Stacks the Deck Against You, Leaving a Foreign Body in a Patient Doesn’t Always Mean Negligence or Discipline
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Leaving a foreign object (sometimes referred to as a “retained foreign body” or “RFB”) in a patient, such as a sponge, clamp, forceps, surgical needle, guide wire, part of a surgical instrument or other paraphernalia commonly used in […]
In Florida You Have Fifth Amendment Rights in a Department of Health Investigation of Your License
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law If you are contacted by a Florida Department of Health investigator, did you know that you are not required to make a statement or give any information that can be used against you? If you are being investigated you have […]
Advice for All Massage Therapists: Please Talk to a Lawyer Before You Talk to the Department of Health (DOH) Investigator
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Massage therapists, I beseech you: please do not talk to a Department of Health (DOH) investigator until you have talked to a health lawyer who is experienced with DOH investigations and board licensing complaints. Do not answer or […]
Massage Therapists Needs Good Professional Liability Insurance, Too
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Whether you’re an independent contractor, an employee of a chiropractor, physician or spa, or you travel to clients’ homes, insurance is essential for all massage therapists. Not only can professional liability insurance protect you in the event of […]
Please, Please, Please Do NOT Talk to the Department of Health (DOH) Investigator
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Massage therapists, I beseech you: please do not talk to a Department of Health (DOH) investigator until you have talked to a health lawyer who is experienced with DOH investigations and board licensing complaints. Do not answer or respond […]
Think You Have Professional Liability Insurance Through Your Employer? Think Again, Nurse!
By Joanne Kenna, R.N., J.D., The Health Law Firm Not a week goes by without a call coming into the firm from a nurse whose license is under investigation for some reason or another. The nurse is generally dumbfounded that this has happened. “But I’m a good nurse. I never thought this could happen to […]
Nurses, No More Excuses: Get a Personal Professional Liability Insurance Policy Now-Part 1
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law To protect yourself from automobile accidents, you carry auto liability insurance. To protect your home from fire, storms and other accidents, you carry homeowners’ insurance. However, I have noticed many nurses fail to carry any insurance to protect […]
Nurses, No More Excuses: Get Personal Professional Liability Insurance Policy Now-Part 2
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Nurses, I am writing this to strongly encourage you to purchase your own professional liability insurance policy. I have noticed many nurses fail to carry any insurance to protect one of their most precious assets, their nursing licenses. […]
Massage Therapists Need Good Professional Liability Insurance with Broad Coverage
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Whether you’re an independent contractor, an employee of a chiropractor, physician or spa, or you travel to clients’ homes, insurance is essential for all massage therapists. Not only can professional liability insurance protect you in the event of […]
Do Not Voluntarily Relinquish or Give Up Your License or Allow it to Expire While Under Investigation or Pending Disciplinary Action
By Danielle M. Murray, J.D. Scenario: Psychologist, licensed mental health counselor, or other mental health professional has a license in State 1 where he or she lives and practices and also in State 2. A complaint is filed with the Department of Health, Professional Board, or other licensing authority in State 1. Rather than incur the […]
Nurses: Did You Know You Have Fifth Amendment Rights in a Florida Department of Health Investigation Involving Your License?
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law If you are contacted by a Florida Department of Health investigator, did you know that you cannot be required to make a statement or give any information that can be used against you? If you are being investigated […]