18 Revised 12/5/2024 - New Board Members Handbook 4.3 Unlicensed Activity MQA is charged with stopping unlicensed activity – commonly called ULA. Those individuals who perform regulated health care activities without the proper licensing in Florida are usually committing a felony-level crime. Treatment by an unlicensed provider is dangerous and could result in further injury, disease or even death. When practitioners pay their licensing fees, $5 is designated specifically to combat unlicensed activity. The ULA program has used these funds to develop an integrated marketing campaign that includes digital, social and traditional media placements to educate and engage target audiences statewide. Complaint review and investigation occurs in the central MQA Tallahassee offices of the Department of Health and at 11 regional offices around the state. MQA can issue cease-and-desist notices and fines against unlicensed providers, but the Division relies on partnerships with local law enforcement for criminal prosecution. In fiscal year 2023-2024, MQA: n Received 1,489 complaints n Issued 505 cease and desist orders ULA Investigation ULA investigators perform the “legwork” to establish probable cause. Investigators go undercover, do surveillance, research business records, conduct interviews, and ultimately serve notices. Many investigations are conducted jointly with law enforcement. Often ULA investigators serve on special task forces. Law enforcement uses evidence gathered by MQA investigators for arrest and prosecution of unlicensed providers. MQA depends on its partnerships with other state and federal agencies and local authorities to stop unlicensed activity. But in the end, it’s the people in the neighborhoods who are victimized and who see the activity. If you see unlicensed activity, please report it by calling 1-877-HALT-ULA, emailing HALTULA@flhealth.gov or visiting the MQA website. www.FLHealthSource.gov 4.4 Enforcement Process Map https://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/enforcement/_documents/enforcement-process-chart.pdf https://mqacomplaintportal.azurewebsites.net/home
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