Frequently Asked Questions
Click here for the volunteer services application and State of Florida Sovereign Immunity information. During this process, you will be able to indicate your preferences for services you will provide and the number of patients you are willing to see in a particular timeframe. This application is sent to the State of Florida’s Volunteer Health Care Provider Program for approval and then to the Florida Department of Health. If approved, you will have a contract with the State of Florida for sovereign immunity. You are NOT contractually bound to PLAN to provide volunteer services and you may change your volunteer preferences in PLAN’s program AT ANY TIME.
No, the State of Florida requires only one contract to perform volunteer services in Florida. However, we will ask you to complete PLAN’s program application so that we have your contact information and volunteer preferences on file. Contact our office and PLAN will make all of the arrangements.
You may also refer patients to the Patient Care Coordinator for eligibility.
- Injuries or Illnesses that occurred in other counties, states or countries
- Emergency Room Visits
- Workers Compensation Claims
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Pregnancy and Infertility
- Elective Surgery
- HIV or AIDS Treatments
- Chronic Issues, e.g. Hepatitis B, Alzheimer’s Disease, Pain Management
- Disability Claims
- Work-Related Injuries
- Litigation Cases
- Second Opinions
- Medical Expenses Already Incurred
- Substance Abuse
- Only members of PLAN may refer patients to the program.
- Your office completes the Patient Referral Request and returns it to us as instructed on the form.
- Tell the patient that you are recommending him/her for qualification with PLAN. A PLAN staff member will contact the patient directly to set up his/her own appointment for eligibility.
NO. All PLAN Volunteer Providers are covered under the Florida Sovereign Immunity statute that strictly prohibits charging for service. If a physician collects any money for the services provided, the immunity will be voided. If you have any further questions about this, please contact us at (239) 776-3016.
Three laws protect physicians in volunteer capacities: the Florida Healthcare Access Act of 1992,” the federal “Good Samaritan Law,” and the federal “Volunteer Protection Act of 1997.”
In 1992, the Florida Legislature passed Florida Statute 766.1115, the Health Care Access Act, which created the Volunteer Health Care Provider Program. The Florida Medical Association and the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services cooperated to create a statute that would allow a health care provider that treated an income eligible client without remuneration to utilize the Department’s sovereign immunity protection rather than rely on his/her own malpractice insurance.
The Good Samaritan Law provides immunity from civil liability to physicians who provide uncompensated emergency care when the need arises as long as:
- Their actions are in good faith.
- They are not compensated.
- Their actions did not cause the emergency.
- They are not the admitting physician or associated physician treating the patient.
The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 protects volunteers from liability abuses in order to promote the interests of nonprofit organizations.
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