With upcoming major healthcare reform and recent devastating events that impact the workplace such as the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut and the widespread devastation of Superstorm Sandy, workplace experts say this is a good time for you to take a closer look at employee assistance programs (EAP’s). There are many situations that cause employees to need the services that EAP’s offer…and many times companies now not only have to meet the everyday business or workplace issues, but also have some level of responsibility for giving support to workers during critical and maybe even overwhelming times. Workplace experts say companies should know EAP’s can be an invaluable resource during a time of need. EAP’s now seem to be an accepted (and sometime required) benefit that workers have learned to expect. In addition, a 2008 National Study of Employers (which is the most recent data following 10 years of trends that are related to U.S. workplace policies and benefits), found tha ...

According to the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Workers’ Compensation, in its most recent fiscal year, Florida saw nearly a four-fold increase in medical reimbursement disputes for workers’ compensation cases. Data shows this number is largely driven by reimbursement petitions for physician dispensed prescription medications. Issued by a three-member panel of the state workers’ comp division, his information was recently shared in a biennial report on the state of Florida’s workers’ comp system. The Florida workers’ comp division includes an Office of Medical Services that addresses and resolves medical reimbursement disputes among health practitioners and insurers. According to the division’s report, back in fiscal year 2011-12, there were 15,000 medical reimbursement petitions that were submitted by health care providers to the state workers’ comp division. That number is compared with 3,777 petitions that were filed in the fiscal y ...

The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers' Compensation has adopted the Health Care Provider Certification rule. The rule is “Rule Chapter 69L-29, Florida Administrative Code” and it has an effective date of Wednesday, February 6, 2013. The revised rule changes the process in which health care providers meet the minimum criteria for certification (as pursuant to section 440.13(3)(a) in the Florida Statutes). The rule also introduces the "Florida Workers' Compensation Health Care Provider Certification Tutorial.” This service is a no-cost, online resource that implements an electronic certification process for health care providers that is expected to improve the efficiencies in the certification process. The tutorial ensures participation only by statutorily defined providers and offers a learning tool that allows providers to move forward at their own pace. It also allows them to create and maintain their provider profile. The tutorial consists of an overview o ...

A new study shows how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) could impact health care benefit participation rates of part-time workers next year. Beginning in 2014, the PPACA mandates affordable health care coverage for people who work more than 30 hours a week. According to the 2012 Study of Large Employer Health Benefits from the ADP Research Institute, part-time workers at large companies in the United States that are eligible for health care benefits elect coverage at a significantly lower rate than full-time workers. Data shows that 77 percent of eligible full-time workers choose health coverage, only 15 percent of part-time employees who are eligible for coverage actually do so. As a result, people who are employed part-time represent less than 5 percent of the total population that is taking part in their employer’s health coverage. According to the study, the average worker contributed about $7,225 each year in health premiums for each worker enrolled in the employer’ ...

A subcommittee of the state House approved a plan that would lower the costs of prescriptions given out by doctors to workers-compensation insurance patients. Some of the Capitols most prominent corporations and groups are petitioning in favor of the bill, citing that doctors dispensing “repackaged” drugs has a higher insurance cost. The bill focuses on physicians dispensing drugs in their offices as opposed to writing prescriptions to be filled at pharmacies. Matt Hudson, a republican from Naples who is a sponsor of the bill said he is aiming to limit the cost of the drugs in question and not prevent doctors from dispensing in their offices. The bill has received opposition from both the Florida Medical Association and the Automated HealthCare Solutions. Those who support physicians dispensing drugs have argued that it can help ensure patients receive and take their medications. This is specifically applicable for patients with mobility issues. An organization that has a role in determ ...