Who signs my form?+
Two Florida-licensed doctors. Dr. Fishman handles orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions (back pain, joints, arthritis, post-surgery). Dr. Schapiro handles heart, lung, neurological, and vision conditions. Both are licensed in Florida and authorized to sign your medical certification under Florida law. We match you with the right doctor based on your condition - you don't have to choose.
Do I have to pay before I know if I qualify?+
No. Our 2-minute eligibility check is free. You'll only be asked to book and pay if your condition falls within our scope of practice. If we're not a fit, you'll be told before any payment or booking is required.
Why do I pay before I know if the doctor will approve me?+
Because the $119 pays for the doctor's clinical evaluation, not the outcome. This is how doctor's offices work everywhere - you pay for the visit whether the doctor writes a prescription or tells you you don't need one.
If we charged only when patients got approved, our doctors would have a financial reason to approve everyone - and that's not real medicine. We don't want to be an approval mill. Our doctors are paid the same whether they certify you or not, so you get an honest clinical opinion.
This is why we offer the free eligibility check first. We want you to know before you pay whether your condition is in scope. Most patients who pass the eligibility check qualify at the visit. If the doctor declines to certify during your visit, we're sorry - the fee covers the evaluation itself.
Can a family member or caretaker book this for me?+
Yes. A family member or caretaker can complete the eligibility check and book the visit on the patient's behalf - just use the patient's name and information on the form. The patient does need to be present on the video visit themselves, since Florida law requires the doctor to examine the patient directly. The caretaker is welcome to be present during the visit to help.
What if I'm not comfortable with video calls?+
The video visit is straightforward - we email you a secure link, and you click it from your phone, tablet, or computer. No app to download. If you have trouble, our team can walk you through it before your visit. Call (754) 233-0586 if you have questions or want to test the link before your appointment. By Florida law, the certification requires a live visit with the doctor, so the video visit is required.
When is my card charged?+
When you book your video visit, your card is placed on file to reserve your appointment slot. The $119 fee is charged before your scheduled appointment, not at the moment of booking. The fee is non-refundable once paid. You may reschedule at no cost up to 24 hours before your visit. The only refund available is if the state rejects our certification - see the FAQ below. Full details are in our Refund Policy.
What if my placard application is rejected by the state?+
You may qualify for a full refund if your placard application is rejected by the Florida county tax collector or FL DHSMV specifically because the medical certification we provided was insufficient or unacceptable for clinical or certification reasons attributable to us. To request this refund, email help@providernotes.com within 15 days of receiving the rejection notice, and include written proof of rejection. We do not refund for administrative or patient-error rejections (missing signature, wrong forms, etc.). Full terms are in our Refund Policy.
What if the doctor doesn't certify me during my visit?+
Our eligibility check filters out cases that fall clearly outside our scope of practice before booking. However, the doctor's clinical judgment during the video visit is the final determination. If the doctor decides during your visit that your specific condition doesn't meet Florida's qualifying criteria, you'll receive a clear explanation. Specific terms are outlined in our Terms of Service.
What conditions can your doctors certify?+
Our two doctors together cover the full range of qualifying conditions for Florida disabled parking placards: severe arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions, post-stroke mobility limitations, post-surgical recovery, herniated discs, serious heart conditions that limit walking, lung disease or oxygen dependence, vision problems that affect safe walking, the need to use a cane, walker, or wheelchair, and the inability to walk 200 feet without resting. We do not certify mental health-only conditions, fully recovered temporary conditions, or applications for convenience.
How do you decide which doctor I see?+
Our 2-minute eligibility check asks about your condition. Based on your answers, you're automatically matched with the doctor whose scope best fits your needs - Dr. Fishman, DC for orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions, or Dr. Schapiro, MD for cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, vision, and other medical conditions. You don't need to choose; we route you to the right doctor.
Do I still need to go to the county tax collector?+
Yes. Florida law requires the placard itself to be issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles through your county tax collector. Provider Notes only completes the medical certification by tele-health visit. You are responsible for taking (or mailing) the signed form to a county tax collector along with your driver's license to obtain the placard. Most county tax collectors accept applications by mail. Check your county's website for the mailing address. We do not file the form, submit it on your behalf, or issue placards.
