Attention: Self-Insurers, Insurers, Claim Administrators,
and Medical Service Providers
A Notice of Development of Rulemaking was published for
69L-31, Florida Administrative Code. The
notice provides that if requested in writing, a Rule Development Workshop will
be held on Friday, June 10, 2016, at 9:30 A.M., eastern time, at 2012 Capital
Circle, SE, Room 102, Hartman Building, in Tallahassee, Florida.
The Rules of 69L-31, F.A.C. are being amended which
govern the process for resolution of disputes between workers' compensation
carriers and health care providers. Revised forms are adopted. Rule 69L-31.005,
F.A.C., is amended to provide greater detail regarding materials required to be
included in a petition for dispute resolution. Rule 69L-31.008, F.A.C., is
revised to provide clarity regarding computation of the time period to submit a
petition for dispute resolution, including expanding the time period for
submitting petitions for dispute resolution from 30 to 45 days. The time period
in Rule 69L-31.009, F.A.C., for a carrier to respond to a petition is expanded
from 10 to 30 days. New Rule 69L-31.016, F.A.C., is proposed to limit the scope
of the dispute resolutions to compliance with standards under Chapter 440, F.S.,
and exclude issues of contract interpretation. New Rule 69L-31.017, F.A.C. is
proposed to stipulate the consequences for failure to comply with Department
Determinations. Minor edits to enhance clarity and additional technical changes
are also included. The proposed rules have been renumbered accordingly.
The official Notice of Development of Rulemaking appeared
in Volume 42, Number 100 (https://www.flrules.org/BigDoc/View_Section.asp?Issue=2119&Section=1)
of the Florida Administrative Weekly, published on May 23, 2016. If you have
questions about the contents of this notice, please contact Theresa Pugh,
Program Administrator, Medical Services
Section, Division of Workers' Compensation at (850) 413-1721 or Theresa.Pugh@myfloridacfo.com.
