New Board Members Handbook

1.2 Division of Medical Quality Assurance The Department of Health’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) plans, develops, and coordinates programs and services for healthcare professions and facilities under its purview. The mission of MQA is to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. MQA is divided into three sections or bureaus: n The Bureau of Health Care Practitioner Regulation is mainly responsible for the licensure of health care practitioners. n The Bureau of Operations is responsible for supporting the bureaus with testing services, maintenance of the licensure database and website and technical support. This bureau also houses the licensure services office, which handles the majority of renewals for all professions. The procurement of meeting locations and spaces and processing of travel reimbursements for board members is another large responsibility of this bureau. Finally, this office completes license verification requests, scanning of licensure files into our electronic system, filing of final orders and operating the central call center for all health care practitioners and facilities. n The Bureau of Enforcement section provides for the initial intake of complaints; conducts an analysis of complaints to determine legal sufficiency; investigates legally sufficient complaints; conduct inspections of facilities; monitor probation, payment of fines and costs, completion of continuing education and other discipline. 1.3 Funding The Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) is responsible for management of the MQA Trust Fund (Fund ID: 352001). The legislature authorizes MQA, through the General Appropriations Act, to expend funds from the MQA Trust Fund to perform regulatory activities as authorized under Chapter 456. Funds credited to the MQA Trust Fund consist of fees, fines and costs assessed and collected from licensees and licensure applicants. Licensure renewal fees are the greatest source of funding and include a $5 fee to regulate unlicensed activity. MQA also receives pass-through Federal Funds for the maintenance of the Certified Nursing Assistant Registry. MQA receives no General Revenues to support regulatory activities. MQA is required to maintain a separate account for each regulated profession. Unlicensed activity funds (revenues and expenditures) are accounted for separately from licensed activity funds within each profession account. MQA is required to provide each board a report of revenues and expenditures, for both licensed and unlicensed activities, related to the operation of the profession and a condensed financial report quarterly. 1.4 Department of Health Organizational Chart Division of Medical Quality Assurance Organizational Chart Department of Health Organizational Chart New Board Members Handbook 5