Complaints & Enforcement – Florida Department of Health (.gov)
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The Department of Health investigates complaints and reports involving health care practitioners regulated by the Department and enforces appropriate Florida laws.
Action which may be taken against health care practitioners is administrative in nature (e.g., reprimand, fine, restriction of practice, remedial education, administrative cost, probation, license suspension or license revocation).
The Department cannot represent you in civil matters to recover fees paid or seek remedies for injuries. You may wish to consult a private attorney regarding these matters.
Verify the license status and disciplinary history of a health care professional or facility license in the state of Florida.
The complaint is reviewed for possible violations of the licensee’s practice act. If a violation may have occurred it is investigated and referred to the Prosecution Services for a determination of probable cause. If probable cause is found, the case is referred to the board for disciplinary action; 10 days after an administrative complaint is filed the case becomes public.
If probable cause is not found, the case is closed and remains confidential.
The Department may contact the person filing the complaint to request additional information.
No; however, the person filing the complaint may be required to pay for copies of medical records.
Complaints remain confidential until 10 days after probable cause is found. If probable cause is not found, the case will remain confidential. Patient identity and patient records always remain confidential.
If the complaint is opened for investigation, the health care practitioner will be provided a copy of the complaint.
Complaints against licensed practitioners or facilities cannot be filed over the phone. Florida law requires the complaint be signed. However, you may file an unlicensed activity complaint over the phone by calling 877-HALT-ULA.
Yes, generally the statute of limitations (SOL) is six years from the last date of treatment. This means the entire investigation and finding of probable cause needs to be completed prior to the expiration of the SOL. However, there are exceptions. You may file a complaint that is over six years old, but it may be closed.
For more information regarding statute of limitations, review section 456.073(13), F.S.
Not normally. However, if law enforcement is investigating, the department’s investigation may be delayed.
If the licensee is disciplined, the department or regulatory board may impose one or more of the following penalties:
The Department may enter into an alternative to discipline action which includes mediation or citation.
The person filing the complaint and the health care practitioner will be notified periodically, in writing, of the status of the complaint.
It is important the Department be advised of any address change.
For additional information, please visit Consumer Services.
Please visit the Florida Health Care Complaint Portal.
Yes. However, if we do not receive enough information to move forward with an investigation, the complaint will be closed. Also, you cannot be updated as to the status of the complaint.
Before filing a complaint with the Department, please send a certified letter to your doctor requesting your medical records. The signed green card will be your proof of requesting your medical records. If you have not received the requested records after 30 business days, please file a complaint and include a copy of the letter and a copy of the signed green card to our office.
Be sure to keep a copy of everything for your records.
Yes. The fee must not exceed $1.00 per page for the first 25 pages and $0.25 per page thereafter.
Yes, provide a copy of the patient’s medical records. The Department is not responsible for obtaining records.
Copies of medical records, correspondence, contracts, and any other documents that will help support your complaint.
It is the patient’s or the patient’s legal representative’s responsibility to request records from the practitioner.
MQA.ConsumerServices@FLHealth.gov
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