Florida Veteran Health Heroes

Page 11 OUR COMMITMENT Our Commitment Veterans and their spouses who used the fee waiver system saved more than $120,000. The Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) seeks to create a veteran-friendly regulatory environment to encourage military service members to choose Florida for their health care practice after active duty. A fee waiver program began in fiscal year 2013-2014 to ease most of the financial burden of applying for licensure, and participation has steadily grown. More than $120,000 was saved during fiscal year 2014-2015, three times as much as the previous fiscal year. With the beginning of fiscal year 2014-2015, Florida lawmakers expanded the program as part of the Florida GI Bill, extending the fee waiver period to 60 months after honorable discharge and including military spouses. In addition, the Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response (VALOR) system was developed for veterans who apply for licensure within 60 days of honorable discharge. VALOR expedites the licensure process and is designed to issue licenses for all qualified initial applicants within one day. MQA is committed to helping ease the transition of military health professionals into civilian life, and seeks to encourage them to practice in Florida by making the licensure process one that reflects our gratitude for their service. Fee Waiver Applications Approved Fiscal Year 2014-2015 First quarter 235 $29,113.00 Second quarter 204 $25,860.00 Third quarter 234 $25,926.00 Fourth quarter 336 $39,839.00 Total 1,009 $120,738.00 Military Fee Waivers Approved 2013-2014 2014-2015 Q1 30 55 97 120 336 235 234 206 300 200 100 0 Q2 Q3 Q4 APPLICATIONS APPROVED IN FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015: 113 THESE APPLICATIONS LED TO A TOTAL SAVINGS OF: $43,753.00 TEMPORARY LICENSES FOR MILITARY SPOUSES: 24