health care defense attorney | The Health Law Firm Blog

Massage Therapists-You MUST Obtain License Complaint Defense Coverage Insurance

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

I am often called on to represent massage therapists accused of sexually molesting a client during the course of the massage or for offering sex to an undercover agent. Most often, this type of case comes to us from a complaint filed with the Department of Health, the umbrella agency over the Board of Massage Therapy. Often the complaint is a made-up one or is based on mistaken identity or an incorrect perception on the part of the customer.

The tragic part of this story is that often, the case could be defended and the charges against […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-04-26T20:00:02-04:00April 28, 2024|Massage Law Blog|

Florida Telehealth Laws for Mental Health Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling has published the following guidance regarding the provision of telehealth services.

As of October 11, 2021, it is still effective and is provided verbatim as follows:
(See more at: https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/latest-news/telehealth/)

During the 2019 legislative session, Florida passed section 456.47 Florida Statutes, which establishes standards of practice for telehealth services, including patient evaluations, and record-keeping. The law also authorizes out-of-state health care practitioners to perform telehealth services for patients in Florida. Signed by the Governor on June 25, 2019, this law became effective on […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-30T20:00:05-04:00April 1, 2024|Mental Health Law Blog|

Mental Health Counselors & Social Workers: If You’re Applying for Your Professional License, Read This First!

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The process of obtaining a mental health counselor or social worker professional license can be challenging and time-consuming. When seeking initial licensure or applying for a license in another state, you should be aware of delays in the application process due to the investigation of credentials and past practice, as well as the need to comply with licensing standards.

Examples That Would Delay Your Mental Healthcare License Application:

• Disciplinary or academic actions during postgraduate […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:14-04:00January 9, 2024|Mental Health Law Blog|

From the archives: From the archives: Are You Applying for a Dental or Health Professional License? Read Our Helpful Tips

Previously published on October 6, 2022
Previously published on July 12, 2021

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The process of obtaining a dental or health professional license can be challenging and time-consuming. When seeking initial licensure or applying for a license in another state, you should be aware of delays in the application process due to the investigation of credentials and past practice, as well as the need to comply with licensing standards.

Here is a List of Examples That Would Delay […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:15-04:00December 31, 2023|Dental Law Blog|

Florida Governor Signs New Controlled Substance Telemedicine Prescribing Law

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On April 6, 2022, Florida’s Governor signed into law legislation to remove the state’s prior restrictions on telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances. The new law in Florida allows healthcare providers to prescribe many controlled substances via telemedicine.

Florida Senate Bill (SB) 312, signed into law, eliminates the prior ban that had existed prohibiting the prescription of Schedule II controlled drugs (with certain exceptions). Schedule II drugs can now be prescribed in Florida via telemedicine if the clinical situation meets one of four exceptions.

A Big Win For Patients Whose Treatment […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:25-04:00July 20, 2023|Nursing Law Blog|

State Nursing Boards Delay Nursing Licenses Across the U.S. Even As COVID-19 Pandemic Continues

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Staffing shortages at hospitals across the U.S. are worsening helped along by state boards and other licensing authorities taking months to process nursing licenses, a recent NPR survey claims. As a result, thousands of new nurses who want to help during the COVID-19 pandemic are reportedly getting sidelined by state bureaucratic red tape. Now, it’s resulted in a considerable backlog in nurses waiting for jobs.

State nursing boards are usually created and charged with safeguarding the public. But there are those who claim they have become an obstacle to ensuring public safety by preventing qualified […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:26-04:00July 6, 2023|Nursing Law Blog|

Are You Applying for a Nursing or Health Professional License? Read Our Helpful Tips First!

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The process of obtaining a nursing or health professional license can be challenging and time-consuming. When seeking initial licensure or applying for a license in another state, you should be aware of delays in the application process due to the investigation of credentials and past practice, as well as the need to comply with licensing standards.

Here is a List of Examples That Would Delay Your Application:

• Disciplinary or academic actions during postgraduate training […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:38-04:00June 2, 2021|Nursing Law Blog|

Psychologists and Health Professional License Applications: Do’s & Don’ts

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The process of obtaining a medical or health professional license can be challenging and time-consuming. When seeking initial licensure or applying for a license in another state, you should be aware of delays in the application process due to the investigation of credentials and past practice, as well as the need to comply with licensing standards.

Here is a List of Examples That Would Delay Your Application:

• Disciplinary or academic actions during postgraduate training […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:40-04:00April 30, 2021|Mental Health Law Blog|

Are You Applying for a Massage Therapist or Health Professional License? Follow Our Tips

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The process of obtaining a massage therapist or health professional license can be challenging and time-consuming. When seeking initial licensure or applying for a license in another state, you should be aware of delays in the application process due to the investigation of credentials and past practice, as well as the need to comply with licensing standards.

Here is a List of Examples That Would Delay Your Massage Therapy License Application:

• Disciplinary or academic […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:45-04:00March 24, 2021|Massage Law Blog|

Are You Applying for a Medical or Health Professional License? Follow Our Helpful Tips

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Here is a List of Examples That Would Delay Your Application:

• Disciplinary or academic actions during postgraduate training (probation, […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:48-04:00March 1, 2021|Medical Education Law Blog|