Three-Member Panel Meeting Announced April 10, 2018

The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers' Compensation announces a public meeting of the Three-Member Panel that will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, beginning at 01:00 p.m., in room 116 of the J. Edwin Larson Building located at 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida.  Pursuant to s. 440.13(12), Florida Statutes, the Three-Member Panel will hold a meeting to adopt the 2018 schedules for maximum reimbursement allowances for physicians, hospitals, and ambulatory surgical centers. Public comment will also be received.

Three-Member Panel Meeting Agenda will be published at the following link, under the Notices tab, when it becomes available. https://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/noticesRules.htm

Florida Division Announces Rulemaking 69L-31, F.A.C.

The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation submitted Notice of Development of Rulemaking for 69L-31, F.A.C.  A Rule Development Workshop will be held February 23, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., eastern time, at 2012 Capital Circle, SE, Room 102, Hartman Building, in Tallahassee, Florida.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Procedures for the resolution of reimbursement disputes between workers' compensation carriers and health care providers.

Please note that the Division encourages all parties to provide details regarding any potential economic or cost impact related to the proposed rule. 

The official Notice of Proposed Rule appeared in the Volume 44, Number 24 of the Florida Administrative Weekly, published on February 5, 2018. 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.

A copy of the notice may be found at the following link.  https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=20029062

A copy of the Draft Petition For Resolution of Reimbursement Dispute Form may be found at the following link.  www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/pdf/DFS-F6-DWC-3160-0023%20Petition%20Form%20(Updated%202-16-18_VON).pdf

A copy of the Draft Carrier Response to Petition For Resolution of Reimbursement Dispute Form may be found at the following link.  www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/pdf/DFS-F6-DWC-3160-0024%20Carrier%20Response%20Form%20(Updated%202-16-18_VON).pdf

A copy of the Draft Rule 69L-31, F.A.C. may be found at the following link.  www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/pdf/69L-31%20(2-16-18).pdf

Rulemaking for 69L-31, F.A.C.

The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation submitted Notice of Development of Rulemaking for 69L-31, F.A.C.  The notice provides that if requested in writing, a Rule Development Workshop will be held February 23, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., eastern time, at 2012 Capital Circle, SE, Room 102, Hartman Building, in Tallahassee, Florida.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Procedures for the resolution of reimbursement disputes between workers' compensation carriers and health care providers.

Please note that the Division encourages all parties to provide details regarding any potential economic or cost impact related to the proposed rule.  The Division will send a second e-alert to provide a link to the proposed rule language and forms.

The official Notice of Proposed Rule appeared in the Volume 44, Number 24 of the Florida Administrative Weekly, published on February 5, 2018.  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.

A copy of the notice may be found at the following link.  https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=20029062

Proposed Rule 69L-6.025,

A Notice of Development of Rulemaking was published for proposed Rule 69L-6.025, Florida Administrative Code.  The notice provides that if requested in writing, a Rule Workshop will be held on Tuesday, February 20, at 9:30 A.M., eastern time, at 2012 Capital Circle, SE, Room 102, Hartman Building, in Tallahassee, Florida.

The proposed amendment to paragraph 69L-6.025(4)(b), F.A.C., will allow employers an additional opportunity to remain compliant with their payment agreement schedules by increasing the number of times the Department will rescind an Order Reinstating Stop-Work Order from two to three in any one case. The proposed amendment to paragraph 69L-6.025(7)(c), F.A.C., will allow employers whose Reinstatement of Stop-Work Orders have been rescinded, the opportunity to enter into new payment agreements after making three monthly payments of the original agreed amount. Currently, the employer is required to make six monthly payments of the original agreed amount after the rescission of the Reinstatement of the Stop-Work Order prior to entering into a new payment agreement. Reducing the number of payments required from six to three will shorten the timeframe for entering into a new payment agreement.

The official Notice of Development of Rulemaking appeared in Volume 44, Number 24 of the Florida Administrative Register, published on February 5, 2018. If you have questions about the contents of this notice, please contact Pam Macon, Chief, Bureau of Compliance, Division of Workers' Compensation at (850) 413-1708 or Pamela.Macon@myfloridacfo.com.

A copy of the Notice of Rule Development may be found at https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=69L-6.025

Florida Division of WC Publishes Results Report

The Division of Workers' Compensation has issued its 2017 Results and Accomplishments Report.  The Report contains important system information related to lost-time claims and medical costs as well as outcome and performance measures for each of the Division's major program areas.  To view the Report, please click here:

https://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/PublicationsFormsManualsReports/Reports/2017-DWC-Accomp-Rpt.pdf

Florida DWC Fraud Report Published

The Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Bureau of Workers' Compensation Fraud and the Division of Workers' Compensation, Bureau of Compliance issued a joint report summarizing their respective efforts and activities in combating workers' compensation fraud and employer non-compliance.  The July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017 report can be viewed at: 

https://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/PublicationsFormsManualsReports/Reports/Default.htm

2018 Maximum Workers' Compensation Rate

Maximum Workers' Compensation Rate, Effective January 1, 2018

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has determined the statewide average weekly wage paid by employers subject to the Florida Reemployment Assistance Program Law to be $917.18 for the four calendar quarters ending June 30, 2017.

Subsection 440.12(2), Florida Statutes (2017), expressly provides that, for injuries occurring on or after August 1, 1979, the weekly compensation rate shall be equal to 100 percent of the statewide average weekly wage, adjusted to the nearest dollar, and that the average weekly wage determined by the Department of Economic Opportunity for the four calendar quarters ending each June 30 shall be used in determining the maximum weekly compensation rate with respect to injuries occurring in the calendar year immediately following.

Accordingly, the maximum weekly compensation rate for work-related injuries and illnesses occurring on or after January 1, 2018 shall be shall be $917.00.

               

2018 Max Comp Rate Bulletin: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/pdf/Max-Comp-Rate-2018-Bulletin.pdf