Regulatory News

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

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

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.  ...

ATTENTION: Self-Insurers, Insurers, Claim Administrators, and Medical Providers The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation submitted a Notice of Change for 69L-8.071 and 69L-8.074, Florida Administrative Code.  The official Notice of Change appeared in the Volume 43, Number 223 of the Florida Administrative Weekly, published on November 17, 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 Notice of Change may be found here: https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=19750963

Attention: Self-Insurers, Insurer/Carriers On September 12, 2017 Governor Rick Scott directed Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier to take every action authorized pursuant to Executive Order 17-235 to provide additional protections to support recovery efforts as it relates to Hurricane Irma's impact on Florida's families; as well as for Florida policyholders. On September 13, 2017, Commissioner Altmaier issued the following emergency order enacting these protections for Florida policyholders.   Http://floir.com/siteDocuments/Emergency_Order_Irma09132017.pdf In response to this emergency order, the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation will review policies reported since August 25, 2017, and automatically extend coverage for those effected policies in accordance with the time frames set forth in the order. If you have questions about this e-Alert, or if you would like to obtain a list of your respective policies affected by this order, please contact Lisel M. La...

A Notice of Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing was published for 69L-8.071 and 69L-8.074, Florida Administrative Code. This Notice reschedules the canceled September 8, 2017 Hearing. The hearing on the proposed rules that was scheduled to occur on Friday, September 8, 2017, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., pursuant to notice published in the August 8, 2017 issue of the Florida Administrative Register, HAS BEEN CANCELED due to Governor Rick Scotts' declaration of a State of Emergency relating to Hurricane Irma. The hearing on the proposed rules is hereby RESCHEDULED for Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., in Room 102, Hartman Building, 2012 Capital Circle, Southeast, Tallahassee, Florida. The official Notice of Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing appeared in Volume 43, Number 174 of the Florida Administrative Weekly, published on September 07, 2017. If you have questions about the contents of this notice, please contact Theresa Pugh, Program Administrator, Medical Services Section, ...

Governor Rick Scott has declared a State of Emergency in response to Hurricane Irma and has directed state offices to be closed in all 67 Florida counties this Friday, September 8, 2017. The hearing on proposed Rules 69L-8.071 and 69L-8.074, F.A.C., has been cancelled. A notice regarding the date and time of the rescheduled hearing on the proposed rules will be published in the Florida Administrative Register.