DWC E- Alert re provider reimbursement

The purpose of this notice is to advise all parties that the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers' Compensation has adopted the Florida Workers' Compensation Health Care Provider Reimbursement Manual, 2015 Edition (Rule Chapter 69L-7.020, Florida Administrative Code). However, the policies and reimbursement allowances identified in the Health Care Provider Reimbursement Manual will not go into effect until the manual has been ratified by the legislature.

The purpose and effect of the rule is to update the schedule of maximum reimbursement allowances to 2014 Medicare reimbursement rates as adopted by the Three Member Panel on 01/22/2015.

The Division will send out a subsequent notice to alert all parties when the manual becomes effective.

If you have questions about the contents of this e-alert, please contact Pam Macon, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Monitoring and Audit, at Pamela.Macon@myfloridacfo.com. 

 

To learn more about these issues and other Workers' Compensation information click here:http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/ 

DWC to Meet with Public re Regulatory Issues

The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation, in conjunction with the Workers' Compensation Institute, is pleased to provide the opportunity for attendees to individually meet and speak with Division staff at the 70th Annual Workers' Compensation Educational Conference about regulatory issues that are important to your company.  These personal, one-one-one meetings will help maximize your time at the conference and provide the Division with an informal setting to interact with workers' compensation stakeholders.  The meetings will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 9:00 am - 11:30 am in the Tampa room at the Orlando World Center Marriott.

Go to Florida DWC regulator (www.wci360.com/conference/ask-the-regulators) to schedule an appointment and identify the issues you would like to discuss with the Division.  This will ensure that the Division has the appropriate staff available to answer your questions.  An email will be sent to you confirming the time. 

Educational Opportunities from the Florida Division

The Division offers the free seminars and webinars regarding workers' compensation and workplace safety to educate employers, business owners, licensed contractors and other interested stakeholders who are responsible for assuring that workers' compensation insurance and safety in the workplace is a priority.  The Division has partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the University of South Florida "Safety Florida Consultation Program", in making these presentations.

Two types of training opportunities are available:

- Classroom sessions are held in several locations around the state.

- Webinars are held once a month.

Both seminars and webinars provide the same material and information for participants.  To participate please complete the appropriate registration form and return it to BOCSeminars@MyFloridaCFO.com.  Questions should be directed to BOCSeminars@MyFloridaCFO.com or by telephone at (813) 221-6518.

http://myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/employer/2015-July-Dec-Seminar-Flyer.pdf

http://myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/employer/2015-July-Dec-Seminar-Registration-Form.doc

http://myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/employer/2015-July-Dec-Web-Based-Registration.doc

To learn more about these issues and other Workers' Compensation information click here: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/

To remove yourself from the DWC Notification list and STOP e-mail Alerts sent to your e-mail address at david.langham@doah.state.fl.us, click the following link and unsubscribe your e-mail address: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/WCAPPS/Mail_List/Mail_List_Reg.asp

Assessment Rates Published

The 2016 Assessment Rates have been published.

Division to Host Public Meeting August 26, 2015 in Orlando

The Division of Workers' Compensation (Division) will be conducting a public meeting at the upcoming 70th Workers' Compensation Education Conference to receive comments related to recommendations by the Three-Member Panel.

The Three-Member Panel has recommended that the Division solicit input from stakeholders regarding the following three items pertaining to the Workers' Compensation Law.  First, does the Florida Uniform Permanent Impairment Rating Schedule warrant updating; Second, applicability and necessity of treatment guidelines in Florida; Third, the role of the Division in Overutilization.

The public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Orlando World Center Marriott, Grand Ballroom 8B, 8701 World Center Drive, Orlando, FL 32821.  The official Notice appeared in Volume 41, Number 120, of the FAR.

If you have questions about the contents of this notice, please contact Brittany O'Neil, Division of Workers' Compensation, (850) 413-1927 or Brittany.ONeil@myfloridacfo.com.

To learn more about these issues and other Workers' Compensation information click here: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/

Transgender in the Workplace

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) formed an alliance with the National Center for Transgender Equality in May. The purpose is to "protect safety, health of transgender workers."

On June 1, 2015 OSHA announced its publication of a Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers. This is not necessarily a regulation, but a "best practices."

Special Session coming

A memo has been issued regarding a special session for the budget. Special Session 2015-A will be June 1, 2015 through June 20, 2015. The memo states:

"For planning purposes, Special Session 2015-A is tentatively scheduled to begin on Monday,
June 1, 2015, and conclude on Saturday, June 20, 2015.

A proclamation will be issued in the near future.

When the schedule is finalized, you will receive a communication from your respective chamber
regarding authorized session travel.

If you have any questions please contact Reynold Meyer at (850) 487-5229 or Kathy Mears at
(850) 717-5000."