Florida Healthcare Providers Entering 2026: Key Legal Challenges Ahead
By David Di Pietro
Sep. 26, 2025 1:05p
Healthcare providers across Florida are stepping into 2026 amid a fast-evolving legal environment. Regulatory agencies are heightening oversight, enforcement actions are becoming more aggressive, and emerging technologies such as telemedicine and AI are introducing both new opportunities and significant risks. Physicians, medical groups, and healthcare businesses that fail to adapt quickly risk costly investigations, compliance failures, and even threats to their professional licenses.
Why Legal Counsel Matters More Than Ever
Healthcare law remains one of the most complex and heavily regulated areas of practice. Attorneys who devote their careers to this field understand compliance, reimbursement, licensing requirements, and the nuances of structuring medical practices. As healthcare law attorney David Di Pietro notes:
“Healthcare providers don’t want to be in the position of teaching their lawyer what a CPT code is. You want an attorney who speaks your language and can protect your career from day one.”
Rising Scrutiny in Telehealth
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, but regulators are now applying far greater scrutiny. Physicians delivering care across state lines must secure the appropriate telemedicine licenses, while prescribing controlled substances via virtual visits faces stricter federal and state-level restrictions. Oversight from the DEA, CMS, and the Florida Department of Health has intensified, making telehealth compliance a top priority in 2026.
High-Risk Specialties in the Spotlight
Certain specialties remain frequent targets of enforcement. Pain management practices, due to prescribing patterns, continue to face heavy auditing. Florida has also introduced stricter requirements for office-based surgery centers, particularly those performing plastic surgery-following a wave of enforcement actions and heightened patient safety concerns.
More Audits and Investigations
Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers are ramping up audits and overpayment recovery efforts, often years after reimbursement. This trend exposes practices to sudden and substantial financial liability. At the same time, the Florida Department of Health has escalated disciplinary investigations, placing physicians’ licenses and reputations at greater risk.
Non-Compete Agreements Limiting Mobility
Another challenge facing healthcare professionals is the growing enforcement of restrictive non-compete agreements. These contracts can severely restrict career mobility, especially in competitive markets like South Florida. Physicians are urged to consult legal counsel before signing employment contracts to protect their future opportunities.
For more information visit our website at,
https://ddpalaw.com/healthcare-law/
