A screen visit still needs real care.

Your location matters

For routine care by phone or video while you are in Florida, the clinician needs a Florida license or Florida’s out-of-state telehealth registration. Registration is a state record allowing a health professional from another state to give remote care here.

A license covering several states may also count through a compact, an agreement between states that Florida has joined.

Ask which agreement and license type the person uses. Have the Florida board for that profession confirm that the license covers your care.

The law allows an out-of-state health professional to skip telehealth registration when responding to an emergency. Another exception lets that person advise a Florida-licensed health professional who stays in charge of your diagnosis and care.

If an office says it uses the advice exception, ask for the Florida professional’s name and check that person’s license. Ask the board to explain the exception before relying on it.

Registration does not cover an office visit

A person registered for Florida telehealth cannot use that registration to open a Florida office or see you here in person.

Florida posts records about these registered people. Their websites must link to their state information.

Care by phone or video has the same duties

Florida requires the same level of professional care whether the visit is remote or in person. The remote visit must also be written in your medical record.

Ask whether you can ask back

State boards that oversee doctors form the Federation of State Medical Boards. Its advice calls for a real assessment before prescribing; a patient’s menu choice alone is not enough.

Its advice also calls for patients to have a means of raising questions after the assessment. This is guidance, not a separate Florida law.

Sort out the next step before the call ends

Ask what would require an office visit and who would arrange it. Find out how to reach the clinician if your question is not answered during the call.