Florida Statutes § 400.518

“Prohibited referrals to home health agencies under the public health law”

A hospital or ambulatory surgical center that has a financial interest in a home health agency is prohibited from requiring physicians to refer patients to the home health agency. A physician is responsible for disclosing his or her employer’s financial interest in the home health agency when referring a patient there. A hospital or ambulatory surgical center may be fined up to $15,000 for a violation of this statute. A physician who violates this statute may face disciplinary sanctions. A home health agency may be fined up to $15,000 for providing health care staff to a facility without charge in return for patient referrals from the facility.