medical doctor | The Health Law Firm Blog

Optometrists and Ophthalmologists Not Seeing Eye to Eye Over Proposed Law Allowing Prescribing

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

This year Florida House Bill 239 and Florida Senate Bill 278 has been reignited in the Florida Legislature. This legislation is pitting optometrists and ophthalmologists against each other in what is being called the “eyeball wars,” according to the Fort Myers News-Press. These bills would expand the authority of optometrists to prescribe certain medications and treat some eye conditions. Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both trying to gain support for their respective viewpoints.

Click here to read the article from Fort Myers News-Press.

Florida House Bill 239 and Florida […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:46-04:00June 1, 2018|Health Care Industry, In the Know, Ophthalmologist, The Health Law Firm Blog|

It’s the End to the Eyeball Wars-Optometrists and Ophthalmologists Come to an Agreement: Optometrists Allowed to Prescribe

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

On April 4, 2013, the Florida Senate passed Florida Governor Rick Scott a hard-fought bill that would expand the drug-prescribing practices of optometrists, according to the Associated Press. House Bill 239 has pitted optometrists against ophthalmologists for years in what was called the “eyeball wars.” (Click here to read House Bill 239.) The Senate sent a measure to the governor that would allow optometrists to prescribe some medications, while adding new patient protections.

To read the article from the Associated Press, click here.

I previously blogged about this topic when the bill was still […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:47-04:00June 1, 2018|In the Know, Ophthalmologist, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Removal of Past Criminal History from Florida Department of Health Practitioner Profile

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

By statute, the Florida Legislature requires that the Department of Health (DOH) maintain an online practitioner profile for medical doctors, osteopathic physicians (DOs), chiropractors (DCs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and podiatric physicians.

Click here to learn more about these profiles from the DOH’s website.

However, the same law requires those health professionals to immediately update the profile when there is a change and to verify its accuracy.

What Does the Practitioner Profile Contain?

DOH practitioner profiles contain information such as education, disciplinary history, practice […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:52-04:00June 1, 2018|Department of Health, Public Records, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Fake Surgeon in Florida Accused of Performing Liposuction Without a License

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

A Kissimmee, Florida, man was arrested on December 18, 2013, on charges that he has been allegedly performing liposuction without a medical license in a Central Florida clinic. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) began investigating the phony surgeon about a year ago, after Florida Department of Health (DOH) received a complaint about the clinic in which the phony doctor worked. The clinic was called “Sculptural Orlando.”

Click here to read the article from the Orlando Sentinel.

Investigators Looking for More Victims.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, it is […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:53-04:00June 1, 2018|Fake Health Care Professionals, In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|

The Ins and Outs of Florida’s 2015 Legislative Session for Health Care Providers

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

Committees are busy in Tallahassee as the 2015 Legislative Session is set to begin on March 3, 2015. For Florida physicians and other health care providers, now is the time to review the legislative bills that could affect you and your practice. There are many bills pending that could impact the future of medical practice and health care delivery in Florida.

On the table are some recognizable bills from last year, as well as a few new ones. To stay up to date on the 2015 Legislative Session as it relates to […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:59-04:00June 1, 2018|Health Care Industry, In the Know, In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Florida Senate Delays Broadening Baker Act Powers for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants-Calls for a Study

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

Florida’s nurse practitioners and physician assistants were hopeful the Senate would vote to allow them to have the authority to order the involuntary commitment of a patient for mental-health evaluation under the Baker Act. However, instead on April 15, 2013, the Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee passed the formation of a work group to figure out how to improve the more than 40-year-old Florida mental health act.

Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants Want to Broaden Their Powers.

Currently, nurse practitioners and physician assistants can perform an evaluation, but cannot sign off on voluntary or involuntary […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:58-04:00May 15, 2018|Nurse Practitioner, Patient Care|