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MQA Q3 2014 - 2015
Executive Summary
2
MQA received 212 complaints of unlicensed activity, referring more than 90 percent for investigation. This
quarter, 103 cease and desist notices were given to unlicensed practitioners, whose unregulated and illegal
activity could be disfiguring and even deadly to its victims. This quarter saw a combined 37.3 percent increase in
cease and desists issued compared to last quarter.
With the economy on the rise, Florida has become the privileged home to an increased health care workforce.
The population of licensed health care practitioners in Florida increased by 15.9 percent since 2010 while
the resident population increased by only 5.5 percent. MQA received 35,973 license applications and issued
22,378 licenses in the third quarter, and the Department of Health has made a concerted effort to reduce
regulation and eliminate unnecessary barriers to licensure. Because of new continuing education reporting
requirements for licensees, you will see a section in the QPRs this year dedicated to the rollout. Our Are You
Renewal Ready? awareness campaign is in its second year, but with mandatory reporting requirements kicking
in for the first group of licensees in 2015, outreach efforts have been doubled.
Licensing fees brought in $26 million in the second quarter, $764,063 of which was dedicated to stopping
unlicensed activity. The Division regularly reviews its licensing fees and recommends fee adjustments so that it
collects only what is needed to regulate each profession. The Florida Board of Psychology lowered application
and exam fees for psychologists to just under $400 in November, which is 60 percent lower than the cost five
years ago. MQA is accountable for how it spends licensees’ money, and strives to maintain efficient regulatory
processes that save money and get practitioners to work faster.
MQA strives to be the leader in health care quality regulation and understands the importance of reaching out
to its stakeholders. Through increased communication efforts, MQA aims to inform, educate, and protect the
people of Florida. To start the quarter, the flhealthsource.gov website was redesigned to better communicate
with its customers while the Are You Renewal Ready? campaign kicked off to remind health care practitioners
to report continuing education/continuing medical education (CE/CME) requirements prior to renewing their
licenses. Other outreach included the publishing and development of several newsletters. The Florida Board
of Nursing issued its inaugural edition of The Florida Nursing Quarterly in January, while the Board of Medicine
published its newsletter in February.
The Division upholds the Department’s mission to protect, promote and improve the health of all people
in Florida. MQA works with other stakeholder agencies at the state and federal levels, and our regional
investigative offices work with local officials and law enforcement agencies to stop dangerous activity within
Florida communities. The Quarterly Performance Report for the third quarter of fiscal year 2014-2015 provides
statutorily required information on revenue, expenditures and performance measures, and highlights MQA’s
accomplishments, outstanding employees and successful partnerships.
The Quarterly Performance Report (QPR) required by Section 456.025(9), Florida Statutes, offers the Division of
Medical Quality Assurance an opportunity to update its 22 health care provider boards and six councils, as well
as all stakeholders and health care consumers, on the important work undertaken in health care regulation.
The Florida Legislature created the Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) in 1988:
Establishes the boards and professions for which the Division of Medical Quality Assurance is responsible.
Section 20.43(1)(g), Florida Statutes:
Section 20.43(3)(g)(1-30), Florida Statutes:
The department shall regulate health practitioners for the preservation of the health, safety, and welfare of
the public.
LICENSING
ENFORCEMENT
FINANCES
OUTREACH