Bill Would Raise Maximum Medical Payments

Efforts are underway in Florida to increase the maximum allowed for medical payments in workers’ compensation. HB 161, introduced Friday, would raise the maximum reimbursement for a treating physician to 200% of the reimbursement allowed by Medicare, up from 110% currently allowed. For surgeries, the bill also proposes to increase the state’s comp fees to 200% of Medicare, up from 140%. The bill would also increase to $300 per hour the maximum allowed for expert witnesses in comp proceedings; that limit is currently set at $200 per hour. The bill would go into effect July 1, 202...