Telemedicine Recertification Now Available for Florida Patients

The Florida medical cannabis program is unique because it requires patients to visit a physician in person. That means scheduling an appointment and driving to a doctor’s office to complete your medical cannabis health evaluation.

To keep your Florida medical marijuana card, you must also complete follow-up appointments every seven months. That is an opportunity to have a conversation with the physician who certified you for your medical card. The follow-up appointment was also required (by law) to be conducted in person as well.

Transportation can be difficult for some patients, particularly for patients who may live far away from our MedWell Health & Wellness Centers office locations. Public transportation can also present challenges and increased costs for patients.

Now, patients can schedule their follow-up appointment for their Florida medical card by telemedicine. A new law has made it easier for patients to recertify without traveling to a doctor’s office, which, if you have a medical card, is exciting news.

New Law Passed Permitting Telemedicine Follow-Up Appointments

You may remember that during the COVID-19 health emergency, Florida patients were allowed to complete all appointments for the medical marijuana use registry requirements by telemedicine appointment. It was a temporary emergency order that helped keep patients safe.

During that time, most health care practitioners adopted telehealth services, including doctors providing medical marijuana certification initial appointments and renewals. The telehealth services provided made sure that patients in Florida had continuity of care without disruption due to COVID-19 restrictions.

On May 4, 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 387, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law on June 26, 2023. Effective July 1, 2023, patients who are registered with the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) can now renew their identification card by scheduling a telemedicine appointment.

Why Was the Law Changed?

Access to medical cannabis as an alternative health option is a legal right for patients in Florida. The Department of Health (DOH) and the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) want to ensure that service barriers are removed for patients in the medical cannabis program.

As of December 1, 2022, there are over 500 medical marijuana dispensaries in the state of Florida. Chances are you have more than one dispensary near you. But there are fewer doctor’s office locations available for patients. And many of them are located in large urban areas, which means some patients have to travel great distances for their initial appointment and certification renewals.

Mobility and Transportation Issues

Medical cannabis is used by patients to help with debilitating symptoms and health conditions. This includes patients with mobility challenges who are unable to drive or use public transportation. If you live far away from your doctor’s office, the cost of transportation can be prohibitive, particularly for low-income patients or those on Medicare.

Compassionate Care Patients in Florida

Caregivers for patients in compassionate care, who are coping with a terminal diagnosis, may also experience challenges. Some patients are simply not able to visit a physician for a follow-up appointment, depending on their health condition.

Once the initial appointment is completed, a patient receiving compassionate care can conveniently renew their Florida medical cannabis card at home. All that is required is a smartphone, tablet or laptop to video conference with the doctor.

Expanded Appointment Hours

It is difficult to find a physician to schedule a medical card health evaluation or follow-up appointment after hours. Typically, they are limited to regular business hours. That means patients must schedule time off from work to attend each follow-up appointment. And that can be difficult for some.

By allowing telehealth services for medical card renewals, patients can schedule their appointment during a lunch break. This makes the follow-up appointment easier to schedule and manage for patients in Florida.

Across America, most states permit telemedicine for cannabis healthcare appointments. Lawmakers in Florida made it possible for patients who were certified at an in-person appointment to renew their identification card conveniently.

Answering Patient Questions About the New Telemedicine Law

While many people have already heard about HB 387 and the change to the Florida medical cannabis laws, there are some important questions patients have. We will answer some of the frequently asked questions about the new medical cannabis telemedicine law.

1. Can Any Doctor Recertify a Patient by Telemedicine Appointment?

Patients who want to schedule a telemedicine appointment for their follow-up must schedule with the physician who certified them for medical marijuana. While the new law allows for telemedicine follow-up appointments, you must return to a physician who certified you.

This requirement means better health care services for patients in Florida. Over time, health care needs may change. Symptoms can also change, as well as prescription medications that patients are taking. Establishing a long-term care relationship with a cannabis healthcare provider means talking to a doctor who understands your health history and symptoms. And provide suggestions tailored to your long-term wellness needs.

2. What if My Doctor Moved or Is No Longer Available?

If your referring physician retired or moved to another state, you will not be able to schedule a telemedicine follow-up appointment with them. You will be required to select a new physician and attend an appointment.

However, once that new doctor and patient relationship is established, all the required follow-up appointments can be scheduled online using telemedicine services. Your future follow-up appointments can be completed anywhere and anytime that works for you.

3. What if My Medical Card Expired?

It is very important to make sure you do not allow your medical card to expire. Registration with the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) in Florida gives you the legal right to purchase, possess and use medical cannabis.

If your medical card has expired, it is important to schedule an appointment right away. Once your medical card is no longer valid, using cannabis (even for medicinal purposes) is illegal. And instead of being a protected patient, you can face legal problems for having or using medical marijuana after your card is expired.

When you schedule your appointment with MedWell Health & Wellness Centers, make sure you indicate that your card is currently expired. We will help by creating a priority appointment for you to renew your Florida medical marijuana card.

Remember, you can renew your Florida medical marijuana card forty-five (45) days before it expires. Don’t risk losing your medical card. Our patients receive friendly reminders to help them schedule their follow-up appointment ahead of time so they don’t run into any problems.

4. Do I Need to Schedule an Appointment if I Lost My Florida Medical Card?

If you have damaged or misplaced your Florida medical marijuana card, you do not need to schedule an appointment to get a new one. Simply fill out this form provided by the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) and include a double-sided photocopy of your driver’s license when you mail the form.

The cost to change or replace your Florida medical marijuana card is $15. The payment must also be included when you mail the form to the OMMU. Remember, you also need to update your medical card if you move and provide your new address to remain on the patient registry.

The new telemedicine option is a positive step forward to provide health care services that are more convenient and accessible for patients in Florida. Telehealth renewal with the same physician will also provide better quality long-term care for patients who benefit from therapeutic medical marijuana.