By: Susan St. John
State Surgeon General, Scott A. Rivkees, M.D., issued Emergency Order (“EO”) 20-009, which extends EO 20-002 and continues to allow out-of-state MDs, DOs, APRNs and PAs, to provide telehealth services to persons in Florida. EO 20-009 is set to expire June 30, 2020, unless otherwise extended.
Further, EO 20-009 continues to allow Florida licensed controlled substance prescribers (MDs, DOs, APRNs, PAs) to issue renewal prescriptions of controlled substances for non-malignant pain for existing patients. Additionally, EO 20-009 extends until June 30, 2020, a qualified physician’s ability to recertify an existing qualified and certified patient’s continued use of medical marijuana by using telehealth services.
EO 20-003, which allows for out-of-state clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and psychologists to render telehealth services to persons in Florida, is still in effect as it is set to expire simultaneously with Executive Order 20-52, which was extended pursuant to Executive Order 20-114 until July 7, 2020.
Telehealth services must still be provided using two-way audio and video communications. Audio-only telephone calls are not permitted under Florida’s existing telehealth statute and have not been waived or suspended via the State Surgeon General’s Orders.
To review EO 20-009 click here.
