telemedicine

The “front door” to the health system is changing, under pressure from increased demand, consolidation, and changing patient expectations.

A Venice-based physician who specializes in medical marijuana care, told the Health Care Regulation Subcommittee that using telehealth for renewals would benefit some of the sickest Floridians.

Under current law, patients are required to receive in-person physical exams from physicians to get certified and be evaluated in person at least once every 30 weeks for recertification.

A college administrator says many students seeking mental health care prefer the privacy of teletherapy over an in-person appointment — even when they call in from an on-campus location.

Hospitals are warning doctors not to practice medicine in a state where they don’t have a license. That affects cancer patients and others who have grown to depend on video visits and other remote care.

Online companies are connecting patients and doctors, and sharing fees with the physicians, which could run afoul of a law prohibiting patient brokering. The activities are drawing the ire of doctors following the rules.

Some face legal challenges, such as a bill that would prevent abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Among the other measures awaiting the governor's pen was a proposal that would broaden doctors’ ability to prescribe controlled substances through telemedicine.

The bill, approved by the Senate after changes by the House, would ease restrictions on doctors prescribing controlled substances through telehealth.

The bill in part would permit physicians to use telemedicine when issuing a renewal of certain drugs that are classified as controlled substances, including ketamine, anabolic steroids and codeine.

New, often lower-cost plans capitalize on the convenience of telemedicine and patients’ growing familiarity with it. But consumers should weigh costs and care options before enrolling in a “virtual-first” plan.

Gov. Ron DeSantis let an executive order declaring a public health emergency expire Saturday, and with it many regulatory flexibilities providers received during the pandemic including those related to telehealth.