Opening or Relocating Your Practice

Below is general contact information that will assist you in relocating a practice or opening a new practice.  Please be advised that the information provided is not comprehensive and may not list everyone you need to contact.

Board Of Medicine

If you have moved, you should contact the Board of Medicine and provide them with your new address.  You must provide this information in writing.  When notifying the Board of Medicine regarding an address change, you should provide the physician address for the primary place of practice and include your licensure number with all correspondence.  Write to:  Department of Health, Florida Board of Medicine, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN # CO3, Tallahassee, Florida 32300-1753; 850-488-0595. You can also update your physician profile online:  http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/index.html

NICA (The Florida Birth-related Neurological Injury Compensation Association)

All physicians licensed in Florida are required to pay into the NICA fund.  To ensure that you receive all of your invoices, you should inform NICA of any change in address.  NICA will process a change of address provided by telephone or written correspondence.  All correspondence must include your licensure number.  Write to:  Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA), PO Box 14567, Tallahassee, Florida 32317-4567; 850-488-8191.  Visit NICA online at http://www.nica.com. 

Medicare Provider Number

It is likely that you will be providing medical services to Medicare beneficiaries.  In order to get paid by the Medicare program, you must complete an enrollment application with the Medicare Carrier (BCBS).  Medicare has several different forms.  The form(s) that you will need to complete depend on your current situation.  Below is a summary of all enrollment forms:

• General Enrollment
• Change of Enrollment
• Individual Reassignment of Benefits Application

To order a form, contact:  Medicare Customer Service at 866-454-4992 or write to:  Medicare Provider Registration Department, PO Box 2078, Jacksonville, Florida 32231-1109.  You may also download the applications or apply online at http://medicare.fcso.com   

Medicaid Provider Number

To obtain a new Medicaid provider number or inform Medicaid of a change in address, contact Medicaid online at http://ahca.myflorida.com/Medicaid/index.shtml or by phone at 800-289-7799 - Option 4. The Duval Regional Service Center can be contacted at 921 N Davis St., Bldg A Ste 160, Jacksonville, Florida 32209-6806, (904) 353-2100 or (800) 273-5880.

Laboratory License

If you will be performing any laboratory services in your practice, you must comply with the Clinical Laboratory Act (CLIA) of 1998 and state licensure requirements. Visit the Agency for HealthCare Administration (AHCA) website http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/MCHQ/ for additional information.

Tax Identification Number

As an employer, you will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.  To apply for an EIN, you must fill out Form SS-4.  If you will be providing “taxable” services or selling “taxable” items out of the office, you will need a state tax number.  Please contact the Department of Revenue-Application Acceptance Dept. at 850-487-7000 or visit http://dor.myflorida.com for further details. 

DEA Registration Unit

The DEA, Office of Diversion Control, Registration Unit, has a toll free number that registrants may call 24 hours a day.  This number, 1-800-882-9539, is equipped with a voice mail system that may be used to request:

• New applications for registration;
• Renewal applications;
• Duplicate certificates of registration;
• DEA order forms; and
• Change of address

Callers may also opt to speak with a Registration Assistant during normal business hours (8:30 AM to 5:00 PM EST) or visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov for more information and forms.

Notifying Patients

If you are relocating your practice there are legal requirements regarding notifying patients – but only if you are becoming unavailable to your patients. 

This information is reproduced, with permission, from the Florida Medical Association (FMA) publication, “The Legal Doctor.”  It does do not constitute legal advice and is presented for educational purposes only. The information  should not be taken as a substitute for legal advice, which should be obtained from personal legal counsel.  The information is based upon current Florida and federal law and is subject to change based on changes in Florida and federal law.