Commission and Florida Construction News
Construction News
Growth In Florida
“Construction firms added 28,000 employees in December and continued to raise wages for hourly workers more than other sectors as the industry’s unemployment rate fell to a record low, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America.” floridaconstructionnews.com
“Construction employment jumped over 7.7 million, seasonally adjusted, in December, an increase of 231,000 or 3.1 percent from 2021. Nonresidential firms—comprising nonresidential building and specialty trade contractors along with heavy and civil engineering construction firms—added 17,900 employees and building and specialty trade contractors together added 9,500 employees.” floridaconstructionnews.com
Florida Legislative Update
A proposed change that would allow physician dispensing of medications is a controversial topic. Some argue “that regulators should loosen the reins even further and exempt heart medicines from re-authorization requirements altogether, so that patients can walk out of a doctor’s office with the life-saving drugs and avoid delays. Early medication helps prevent relapses and returns to the hospital, and in the long run will save insurers money. They noted that the American College of Cardiologists recommends the practice.” However, “the DWC’s required analysis of the rules indicate the changes could cost insurers, self-insurers and employers an additional $8.6 million per year. That means the rule changes will likely have to be ratified by the Florida Legislature, which may prove to be difficult, at best. Lawmakers for the past several years have declined to approve other workers’ comp medical reimbursement changes that increase costs.” insurancejournal.com
Florida Approves New WC Rule: Carriers Must Verify Subcontractor Employees
“The National Council on Compensation Insurance has laid down the law, requiring Florida workers’ compensation insurers to verify employees before arbitrarily charging premium for subcontractors’ exempt officers.” insurancejournal.com
Florida Work Comp Exemption Change for 2023
The Florida Legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law, HB 959 amending the requirements for exemption holders. Effective January 1, 2023, exemption applicants are required to certify that the officer electing an exemption has completed an online workers’ compensation coverage and compliance tutorial prior to completing the exemption application. In addition, applicants filling out the application must provide their VALID driver’s license number; no change to the Florida Identification number. Beginning January 1, 2023, scopes of business will no longer be required; therefore, Certificates of Election to be Exempt from Workers’ Compensation Law (exemptions) effective on or after January 1, 2023, will not reflect scopes of business. The industry type will continue to reflect on the exemption certificate.
RENEWALS
If an applicant submits an exemption application prior to January 1, 2023, for a renewal effective date on or after January 1, 2023, then the exemption application will request the entry of scopes but the scopes will not reflect on the exemption certificate.
The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation (Division) is pleased to offer an online service that allows you to submit your Notice of Election to be Exempt. With this online system, you can complete the online workers’ compensation coverage and compliance tutorial as required by Chapter 440.05, FS., apply for or renew an exemption, modify your application, and print your Certificate. The construction industry exemption fee of $50 plus a convenience fee of $1 must be made by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express (prepaid cards are acceptable), or from a business or personal checking or savings bank account. If you are making a payment by electronic check, provide ACH Merchant ID B272818119 to your financial institution to ensure the payment is not rejected and returned as a dishonored payment. If for any reason a payment is returned, the Department of Financial Services will assess a $15.00 fee. The user must agree to the terms and conditions when applying for or renewing an exemption.
Here is the link to apply or renew an exemption.
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