Regulatory News

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 ma...

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, Progra...

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 re...

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