Having a pain management clinic is a dream for many individuals and families. It can be a great way to generate a healthy income. However, you must understand the regulations you must follow to start your pain management clinic. If you do not, you could face a hefty fine.
Registration process
Getting a pain management clinic in Florida is no small feat. You will need to establish a business structure, hire a good pain management physician, and maintain an adequate supply of pain management prescription medications. You will also need to comply with the requirements of the Florida Pain Management Act.
The statute above is a set of rules designed to protect patients from inappropriate prescribing of pain medication and treatment. The department of health may fine up to $5,000 per day for law violations. It also conducts unannounced annual inspections of pain-management facilities. In addition, the department of health has rolled out the shiny new AHCA (Association for Healthcare Administration) registration system. The cost of AHCA registration is steep, but it is worth the money.
For instance, you can’t run a pain management clinic in the county of Tampa, Florida. However, if you’re lucky enough to live in Temple Terrace, you can get your start. And, if you’re willing to travel a bit further, you could open a pain management clinic in Plant City.
The Florida Department of Health has announced a new registration process for pain management clinics. You’ll need to fill out an application, obtain a certificate of exemption, and pass several healthcare provider credentialing exams. If you’re a medical professional, you’ll have to pass a state board exam, which will take a few weeks.
A pain management clinic in Florida is a great way to help patients deal with their pain, but it’s a good idea to be careful. You’ll need to keep records of all prescribed pain medications, maintain the fad mood above, and be aware of proper billing practices for third-party payors.
Prescriptions
Whether you are planning to open a pain management clinic in Florida or want to be aware of the regulatory requirements, it is essential to keep in mind that you are required to comply with state law. Failure to comply may result in fines and legal action.
The state’s Department of Health (DOH) has standards you must adhere to. Specifically, the Controlled Substance Bill requires prescribing practitioners to see chronic pain patients regularly, at least once every three months. In addition, if the practitioner decides to prescribe an opioid for an acute pain episode, they need to indicate that the prescription is for non-acute pain.
In addition, if you plan to operate a pain management clinic, you must understand the federal guidelines for prescribing opioids. You will also need to know how to keep track of your specified numbers each month and how to bill for third-party payors properly.
To operate a pain management clinic, you must register with the Agency for Health Care Administration. This can take some time, but it is required. Once registered, you must have a pain management contract with your patients.
The AHCA will also require that you take a two-hour continuing education course on prescribing controlled substances. If you are an authorized physician, you must take this course at your next licensure renewal.
The DOH has a website that allows you to register for the AHCA. This is an excellent place to start, but you must complete the registration process before registering for your pain management clinic.
Medical record keeping
Keeping accurate records of your patients is a must when opening a pain management clinic in Florida. Not only does it help you spot errors, but it also saves money.
Typically, state laws dictate the length of time a physician must keep medical records. In Florida, medical records must be kept for at least six years. However, this does not apply to physicians with a health insurance policy.
In addition, the HIPAA law sets out the legal requirements for retention. Some states require that a physician retain records for ten years or more.
In Florida, there are specific provisions for computer records. The law requires that electronic records be processed within four business days. This can cause delays. If you experience a delay in processing your documents, contact your provider’s medical records department for help. They should be able to resolve any issues.
Before opening a pain management clinic in Florida, it is essential to understand the regulations regarding medical record keeping. If you fail to comply, you may face fines or other disciplinary actions. If you want to know more about your legal options, consult your state’s medical society. They can provide information about complaint procedures and physician requirements.
When opening a pain management clinic in Florida, you must know the proper billing practices for third-party payors. Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in an audit and criminal penalties. It is also a good idea to have a backup of prescribing data.
Some providers also have particular forms to fill out for each patient. Those moving to a new provider or retiring can request copies of their medical records. Some companies are developing tools to help collect and store documents.
Billing/claims submission compliance
Keeping up with Billing/claims submission compliance when opening a pain management clinic in Florida is a must. Failure to do so could lead to severe penalties, an investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ), or disciplinary actions against the license of your practice. The DOJ’s recent announcement of increased scrutiny in Central Florida may be a good reason for healthcare providers to review their practices and procedures.
The Florida Pain Management Act defines a “pain management clinic.” The Act requires establishing a written pain management contract with patients and documentation to substantiate the level of care provided. It also involves the creation of medical records for each patient and the maintenance of pertinent patient data. The law also mandates the filing of a Certificate of Exemption.
To comply with the Florida Pain Management Act, it’s essential to have a pain management clinic that has a comprehensive list of pain management prescriptions and a good backup for displaying this data. In addition, your healthcare provider must be careful with prescribing practices. Some standard non-compliant practices include prescribing benzodiazepines, carisoprodol, and opioids. This, in turn, could lead to an audit or criminal action against the practitioner.
Another requirement is filing a valid postal zone for an ambulance and non-emergency transportation billing. The claim will be denied if a claim is filed with an incorrect postal area. Similarly, a claim submitted without a Florida Blue Proprietary ID is now considered invalid. This new field is part of the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI), which will prevent payment issues if incorrect code combinations are reported.
One last tip is to be careful with your signature. Although digital signatures are generated by special software, a non-compliant claim could result in payment delays or denials.
Penalties for failure to comply
Keeping your Central Florida pain management clinic in compliance with all regulations is very important. Failure to do so could lead to severe penalties.
To stay in compliance, you should maintain good record-keeping and billing practices. It is also a good idea to review your prescribing practices. This can help you identify areas where you may need to catch up. You may need to make some changes.
As a healthcare provider treating chronic pain, you should ensure that your prescribing and billing practices align with federal and state standards. This is important because failure to do so can result in an audit or investigation. If you fail, you could be subject to disciplinary action by the Department of Health or your state licensing board. If you are a doctor, consider retaining an Independent Review Organization (IRO) to help you.
In addition, you should make sure that you have backup copies of all your patient data. State and federal agencies are using electronic records to gather information about pain management clinics. It will help if you keep your patient’s demographic data and prescriptions. If you have a pain management clinic, you should also have a written contract with your patients and a Certificate of Exemption. This is required to open a pain management clinic in Florida.
It is essential to know that failure to comply with the Florida Pain Management Act can result in disciplinary action and criminal penalties. You should be aware that failure to comply can also lead to efforts by third-party payors.
