409.907 (8)(a), F.S., for Provider Type(s): 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 66, 68, and 77, requires all initial or renewing Provider applicants to Florida Medicaid to submit fingerprints for purposes of obtaining a criminal history record check unless they meet one of the exemptions as described in the statute.

New or renewing applicants to Florida Medicaid, who were fingerprinted by the Department of Health (DOH) within the previous twelve (12) months, may submit proof of that screening in lieu of fingerprints with their new or renewing application to Florida Medicaid. 

This would meet the requirement for background screening as stated in 409.907 (8) (a) and 409.907 (8) (c), F.S.  Proof of appropriate screening would be issued by DOH and would include the applicant's name, the last four (4) digits of the Social Security Number, the date of the screening, the level of the screening, and the results.

NOTE:  Practitioners are only fingerprinted by the Department of Health (DOH) during their initial licensure.  The lower level screening performed during licensure renewal does not meet the requirement for Florida Medicaid.  Acceptable proof of prior screening must reflect processing of fingerprints within the previous twelve (12) months to obtain both statewide and national histories.

The Agency understands that the application guide incorrectly states some licensed practitioners are exempt from fingerprinting.  That language is not consistent with the Florida statute mentioned above. 

In cases where statute and rule conflict, the statute overrides the rule.   In order to bring the application guide language into agreement with the statute, AHCA will file a revised rule with the Department of State to clarify that licensed practitioners are required to submit fingerprints. 

Please note that this is a lengthy process and until it is completed the language will conflict.

Florida Medicaid has no authority to enforce or allow the exemption to fingerprinting as described in the application guide. 

Medicaid will require all licensed practitioners to submit fingerprints when they apply to enter or renew with the program unless they can supply proof of an acceptable screening within the previous twelve (12) months that is in compliance with Chapter 435, F.S.