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Author: Jamaal R. Jones, Esq.

Jones Health Law > Articles posted by Jamaal R. Jones, Esq.
18 May
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How Does a Nurse Practitioner Establish an Independent Practice in Florida?

Posted by Jamaal R. Jones, Esq.
in Blog

Effective July 1, 2020, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (“APRN”) will be able to register their own autonomous practice throughout Florida with the passage of House Bill 607. No longer will the APRN have to provide patient care within the framework of an established protocol with a supervising physician if they are properly registered. If the APRN is not registered then an established protocol will still be required. The term Health Care Provider has been re-defined to mean a physician, osteopathic physician, podiatric physician or an APRN registered under Florida Statute §464.0123.   Registering your Autonomous Practice Autonomous Practice is defined as an advanced...

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10 April
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Criminal Liability for Rationing Medical Equipment During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Posted by Jamaal R. Jones, Esq.
in Blog

Recently, a physician client called me and she was very concerned about potentially being charged with murder for rationing medical equipment, such as ventilators, during the COVID-19 Pandemic. She had been instructed by superiors to use the ventilators, which were in scarce supply, only on those patients that had the best chance of recovery. For the others, she would effectively be sentencing them to death and this caused added stress to an already stressful situation. I took the time to alleviate her concerns about potential liability and thought that I would share it with you as well.   Can I Be...

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01 April
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Buyer Beware: Successor Liability Issues When Purchasing a Physician Practice

Posted by Jamaal R. Jones, Esq.
in Blog

If you’re purchasing a physician practice or any other type of Florida healthcare entity you must ensure that you have structured the acquisition in such a way that you are not inheriting the liabilities of the previous owner. To do so, you must conduct a thorough due diligence process and draft the appropriate agreements. In Florida, a purchaser is generally not liable for the debts and liabilities of the seller unless the purchaser expressly (or impliedly) agrees to assume such debts and liabilities. Successor liability has the potential to become an issue when you purchase any existing company. The purchaser has...

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18 March
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Coronavirus (Covid-19) Creates Opportunities for Use of Telehealth in Florida

Posted by Jamaal R. Jones, Esq.
in Blog

I. Introduction For several years, we have discussed the practical benefits of using Telehealth or Telemedicine as a supplement to traditional medical care and not as a replacement. However, we are facing a moment in history where Emergency Rooms are becoming increasingly overwhelmed and don’t have the staff, resources, healthcare professionals, respirators, ventilators and other equipment necessary to adequately and expeditiously treat patients.  Telemedicine is becoming more essential now that countries around the world are paralyzed due to the spread of the Coronavirus which has resulted in a pandemic. Telemedicine is useful for those individuals who are unable or unwilling to travel...

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03 March
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Closing your Medical Practice? Don’t forget to Wind Up!

Posted by Jamaal R. Jones, Esq.
in Blog

You’ve decided that now is the time to close your healthcare entity (i.e. Medical Practice) for any number of reasons. However, you can’t simply close the doors and just walk away. There are a few steps that you need to take in order to comply with Federal and Florida law. One of the requirements is that you “wind up” your limited liability company (“LLC”). After you’ve dissolved the company the company continues only for the purpose of winding up. During this process the LLC is required to discharge or make provisions for the company’s debts, obligations and other liabilities, as well...

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25 February
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Dissociation of a Partner in a Healthcare Entity or Medical Practice

Posted by Jamaal R. Jones, Esq.
in Blog

You’ve found yourself in a very common situation where one or more partners in your healthcare business (i.e. medical practice) wants to resign or dissociate from the entity. There could be any number of reasons that would motivate a person to do so. You may handle the personal fallout from this situation in any manner that you choose. However, there are still certain legal requirements that you must adhere to when a partner chooses to dissociate from a limited liability company. Events Causing Dissociation This is not an exhaustive list but a person is dissociated as a member if any of the...

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12 February
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The Florida Department of Health Accused me of Prostitution and Practicing without a Massage Therapy License…Now What?

Posted by Jamaal R. Jones, Esq.
in Blog

What is a Massage? According to Florida Statute, a “massage” means the manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body with the hand, foot, arm, or elbow, whether or not such manipulation is aided by hydrotherapy, including colonic irrigation, or thermal therapy; any electrical or mechanical device, or the application to the human body of a chemical or herbal preparation. A “massage therapist” is a person licensed by the Florida Department of Health (“DOH”) who administers massages for compensation. You must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and completed a course of study...

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30 December
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How Can A Foreign Trained Doctor Obtain A Florida Medical License?

Posted by Jamaal R. Jones, Esq.
in Blog

Doctors from around the world may decide that they would like to practice medicine in the State of Florida. Maybe it’s because of the beautiful weather and white sandy beaches, no state income taxes, its proximity to Latin America and the Caribbean, large immigrant and tourist population and Florida’s world-renowned hospitals and healthcare providers. No matter the reason, the process of moving to Florida to practice medicine has its challenges. These challenges may seem insurmountable without guidance from experienced attorneys. There’s a two-step process to practicing medicine in Florida: (1) the immigration visa process and (2) obtaining your license to...

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01 November
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Can a Physical Therapist or Chiropractor “Opt-Out” of Medicare?

Posted by Jamaal R. Jones, Esq.
in Blog
Photo courtesy of Chiropractic Natural Care Center

As of November 1, 2019,  a physical therapist or chiropractor,  are unable to “opt-out” out Medicare. If you look at this chart you will see that physical therapists and chiropractors are not listed as providers who are able to opt out. The Medicare Benefit Policy Manual: Chapter 15 Section 40.4 states Physical therapists in independent practice and occupational therapists in independent practice cannot opt out because they are not within the opt out law’s definition of either a “physician” or “practitioner”. A non-opt-out provider, is required to submit a claim for any item or service that is, or may be,...

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20 October
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How do I Open an Assisted Living Facility in Florida?

Posted by Jamaal R. Jones, Esq.
in Blog

How do I Open a Florida Assisted Living Facility? According to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, an Assisted Living Facility (“ALF”) is a residential care facility that provides housing, meals, personal care and supportive services to older persons and disabled adults who are unable to live independently. ALFs are intended to be a less costly alternative to more restrictive institutional settings for individuals who do not require 24-hour nursing supervision.   Determining the right Size and Location for your ALF Florida ALFs can range in size from a single resident to hundreds and may contain individual apartments or suites that a resident shares...

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