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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17
                        AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


      This Amendment to that certain Employment Agreement (the "Amendment") by
and between ProxyMed, Inc. (the "Company") and Michael K. Hoover (the
"Executive") dated July 28, 2000 is entered into as of October 9, 2003 (the
"Amendment Date"). In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:

      WHEREAS, the Employment Agreement had an initial term of three (3) years;

      WHEREAS, the Company's Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
has reviewed the 2003 performance goals applicable to Executive and has
determined that it is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders
to allow the Employment Agreement to automatically renew for one (1) year; and

      WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have agreed to amend that certain
Employment Agreement.

      NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

      1.    The Employment Agreement of the Executive was automatically renewed
            for a period of one (1) year from July 29, 2003 to July 28, 2004 and
            shall be automatically extended from year to year thereafter unless
            otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of the Employment
            Agreement.

      2.    The Executive's annual salary for the period commencing January 1,
            2004 and expiring on July 28, 2004 shall be $275,000.00, subject to
            any subsequent increases recommended by the Company's Compensation
            Committee and approved by the Company's Board of Directors in
            writing. Any such subsequent written document is hereby incorporated
            by reference and made a part of and shall amend the relevant terms
            of the Employment Agreement automatically.

      3.    Except as otherwise modified herein, all terms and conditions of the
            Executive's Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and
            effect. To the extent that a conflict shall exist as between the
            terms or conditions of the Employment Agreement and this Amendment,
            those of this Amendment shall prevail.

      4.    This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of
            which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall
            become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by
            each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

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      5.    This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement, and supersede all
            prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among
            the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby,
            and (b) is not intended to confer upon any person other than the
            parties hereto any rights or remedies.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Amendment, in
the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year
first above written.

PROXYMED, INC.                         EXECUTIVE:



By: /s/ NANCY J. HAM                   By: /s/ MICHAEL K. HOOVER
    ------------------------------         -----------------------------------
    SIGNATURE                              SIGNATURE

Print Name: NANCY J. HAM                Print Name: MICHAEL K. HOOVER
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