Three-Member Panel Cancels Meeting on Reimbursement Manuals

Tuesday, July 3, 2018 | 0

Florida’s Three-Member Panel, which oversees the state workers’ compensation system, has canceled a hearing set for Friday, when it was going to be asked to approve new reimbursement manuals for physicians, hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.

The Division of Workers’ Compensation did not give a reason for the cancellation or announce when the panel will meet again.

The Three-Member Panel got its first glimpse in April of proposed fee schedule changes that would increase costs by $138 million, according to an analysis by the National Council on Compensation Insurance.

NCCI said the proposed changes would increase costs for health care providers by $4 million, ambulatory surgery centers by $66 million, and hospitals by $70 million. The DWC proposed that the changes take effect on July 1.

Even if the Three-Member Panel approves the revised reimbursement manuals, ratification would be required by the state Legislature. Any regulation that is expected to increase costs by more than $1 million requires approval by state lawmakers.