(1) The Legislature intends to recognize hospitals, treatment centers, and other providers in this state which demonstrate excellence in patient-centered coordinated care for persons undergoing cancer treatment and therapy in this state. The goal of this program is to encourage excellence in cancer care in this state, attract and retain the best cancer care providers to the state, and help Florida providers be recognized nationally as a preferred destination for quality cancer care. The Cancer Center of Excellence Award will recognize providers that exceed service standards and excel in providing quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered coordinated care.
(2) The Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council, established in s. 1004.435, and the Biomedical Research Advisory Council, established in s. 215.5602, shall select seven members and six members, respectively, to form a joint committee.(a) The joint committee, consisting of 13 members, shall:1. By January 1, 2014, develop rigorous performance measures, a rating system, and a rating standard that must be achieved to document and distinguish a cancer center that excels in providing quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered coordinated care.
2. Review at least every 3 years and revise, if applicable, the performance measures, rating system, and rating standard to ensure providers are continually enhancing their programs to reflect best practices and advances in cancer treatment and care from the perspective of quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered coordinated care.
3. Submit its proposed performance measures, rating system, and rating standard to the Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council and the Biomedical Research Advisory Council to be approved by both councils prior to the evaluation of any provider under such criteria.
(b) The criteria established by the joint committee must require, at a minimum, that each hospital, treatment center, or other provider:1. Maintain a license in good standing in this state which authorizes health care services to be provided.
2. Be accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.
3. Actively participate in at least one regional cancer control collaborative that is operating pursuant to the Florida Comprehensive Cancer Control Program’s cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.
4. Demonstrate excellence in and dissemination of scientifically rigorous cancer research.
5. Integrate training and education of biomedical researchers and health care professionals.
6. Meet enhanced cancer care coordination standards which, at a minimum, focus on:a. Coordination of care by cancer specialists and nursing and allied health professionals.
b. Psychosocial assessment and services.
c. Suitable and timely referrals and followup.
d. Providing accurate and complete information on treatment options, including clinical trials, which consider each person’s needs, preferences, and resources, whether provided by that center or available through other health care providers.
e. Participation in a comprehensive network of cancer specialists of multiple disciplines, which enables the patient to consult with a variety of experts to examine treatment alternatives.
f. Family services and support.
g. Aftercare and survivor services.
h. Patient and family satisfaction survey results.
(c) The members of the joint committee shall serve without compensation but may receive reimbursement as provided in s. 112.061 for travel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. (d) The Department of Health shall provide such staff, information, and other assistance as is reasonably necessary to assist the joint committee in carrying out its responsibilities.
(3)(a) A provider may apply to the Department of Health for a Cancer Center of Excellence Award. The joint committee must develop an application form to be used by the Department of Health that requires, among other things, submission of documentation by the provider which demonstrates that the criteria in subsection (2) have been met.
(b) After January 1, 2014, the Department of Health shall annually conduct two application cycles. The applications are not applications for licensure; the grant of the award by the State Surgeon General is not final agency action; and the Cancer Center of Excellence Award program is not subject to the provisions of chapter 120.
(4)(a) The State Surgeon General shall appoint a team of independent evaluators to assess applicants to determine eligibility for the award. An application is to be evaluated independently of any other application. The team shall consist of five evaluators to be selected, in any combination, from the following:1. No more than five health care practitioners or health care facilities not licensed in this state which provide health care services involving cancer diagnoses or treatment;
2. No more than three members from the Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council;
3. No more than two members from the Biomedical Research and Advisory Council; and
4. No more than one layperson who has experience as a cancer patient or as a family member of a cancer patient if that person or his or her family member did not receive care from the applicant or providers being evaluated.
(b) Each evaluator must be independent and free of any conflict of interest with respect to a health care provider or facility licensed in this state. Each person selected to participate on the evaluation team must sign a conflict of interest attestation before being appointed to the evaluation team.
(5)(a) Two evaluation team members may, as necessary, conduct an onsite evaluation to verify submitted application documentation.
(b) Each member on the evaluation team shall report to the State Surgeon General those applicants that achieved or exceeded the required score based on the rating system developed in subsection (2) which demonstrates the cancer center excels in providing quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered coordinated care.
(6) The State Surgeon General shall notify the Governor regarding the providers that are eligible to receive the Cancer Center of Excellence Award.
(7) The award shall be recognized for a period of 3 years after the date of the award. A provider may reapply for subsequent awards.
(8) A provider that receives a Cancer Center of Excellence Award may use the designation in its advertising and marketing for up to 3 years after the date of the award. In addition, a provider that receives a Cancer Center of Excellence Award may be granted, for 3 years after the date of the award, a preference in competitive solicitations related to cancer care or research undertaken by a state agency or state university.
(9) The State Surgeon General shall report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 15 of each year, the number of applications received, the number of award recipients by application cycle, a list of award recipients, and recommendations to strengthen the Cancer Center of Excellence Award program.
(10) The Department of Health shall adopt necessary rules related to the application cycles and submission of the application form.
