Changes for Rules 69L-6.015 and 69L-6.027

A Notice of Development of Rulemaking was published for proposed Rules 69L-6.015 and 69L-6.027, both for the Florida Administrative Code.  The notice provides that if requested in writing, a Rule Hearing will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at 9:30 A.M., eastern time, at 2012 Capital Circle, SE, Room 102, Hartman Building, in Tallahassee, Florida.

Chapter 2016-56, Laws of Florida, amended subsection 440.05(10), F.S., to delete the requirement that any corporation with exempt officers engaged in the construction industry must maintain written statements of those exempted persons acknowledging each such individual's exempt status.  The proposed amendment to Rule 69L-6.015, F.A.C., will also delete this requirement from the rule. Chapter 2016-56, Laws of Florida, also included legislative changes to the penalty requirements in subsection 440.107(7), F.S.  The changes include: (i) a 25% penalty reduction for non-compliant employers who have not previously been issued a stop-work order or penalty assessment order and who timely provide requested business records; and (ii) a reduction of the imputed payroll multiplier from twice the statewide average weekly wage to the pre-2014 level of one and one-half times the statewide average weekly wage.  The proposed amendment to Rule 69L-6.027, F.A.C., will incorporate these changes on the Penalty Calculation Worksheet.

The official Notice of Development of Rulemaking appeared in Volume 43, Number 16 of the Florida Administrative Register, published on January 25, 2017.

DWC rolls out tool for coverage seekers

The Division of Workers' Compensation has published an on-line tool that can help employers seeking coverage through a workers' compensation policy.  The Coverage Assistance Program (C.A.P.) allows employers to enter their primary class code or business description and search for Carriers actively insuring those job classes in Florida.  The search will also provide a count of the number of active policies.  While this information does not guarantee coverage will be provided, it is helpful for employers and their agents who are trying to locate workers' compensation insurance.

To access the CAP or find additional information related to securing coverage visit the Division's website at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/wc/Employer/obtaining.htm 

Florida Division Publishes Fraud and Non-Compliance Report

The Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Bureau of Worker's 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, 2015 - June 30, 2016 report can be viewed at:  http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/PublicationsFormsManualsReports/Reports/DIFDWC-Annual-Report-2016.pdf

DWC proposed changes to EMAs, Rule 69L30 . . .

A Notice of Proposed Rule was published for 69L-30, Florida Administrative Code.  The notice provides that if requested in writing, a Hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, at 10:00 A.M., eastern time, at 2012 Capital Circle, SE, Room 102, Hartman Building, in Tallahassee, Florida.

The purpose of the changes being made to Rules 69L-30.002, 69L-30.003, 69L-30.004, 69L-30.006, 69L-30.007, and 69L-30.010, F.A.C., are to reflect statutory changes allowing Judges of Compensation Claims to appoint Expert Medical Advisors, to update the address for the website on which application for Expert Medical Advisor certification is made, and to add final orders finding that a physician engaged in overutilization, as defined in section 440.13(8), Florida Statutes, to the list of final orders which disqualify a physician from eligibility for Expert Medical Advisor certification.

The official Notice of Proposed Rule appeared in Volume 43, Number 07 (https://www.flrules.org/bigdoc/default.asp) of the Florida Administrative Weekly, published on January 11, 2017. 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 proposed Rule text may be found here: https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=69L-30.002

A copy of the published Notice may be found here: https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/View_notice.asp?id=18476771

Three Member Panel meeting packet published for 01.04.17

Three Member Panel meeting on January 4, 2017

Meeting packet published

http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/pdf/Three-Member-Panel-Meeting-Packet-Jan-4-2017.pdf

Division issues 2016 Results and Accomplishments Report

The Division of Workers' Compensation has issued its 2016 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, click here:

http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/PublicationsFormsManualsReports/Reports/AnnualReportWC2016.pdf 

Three Member Panel Meeting - January 4, 2017

The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers' Compensation announces a public meeting of the Three-Member Panel that will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, beginning at 3:00 p.m. in room 116 of the J. Edwin Larson Building located at 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida. This public meeting, to which all are invited, has been convened to facilitate the Panel's consideration of the following items:

- The Three-Member Panel 2017 Biennial Report

- The Division's Annual Report on the resolution of health care provider medical reimbursement disputes and activities (2016) conducted pursuant to s. 440.13(8), F.S.

The Division of Workers' Compensation will publish the meeting packet for the Panel's January 4, 2017 meeting on the Division's website under "Notices" (http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/noticesRules.htm).

Notice of this public meeting appears in the Wednesday, December 21, 2016, issue of the Florida Administrative Register. To view the official (published) notice click on the following link:  https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/View_notice.asp?id=18390441 

If you have questions about this communication, please contact:  Brittany O'Neil, Policy Coordinator, Division of Workers' Compensation, Department of Financial Services, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-4220, Phone (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/