69L-30.003. Qualifications for Expert Medical Advisor Certification and Re-Certification

(1) To be certified as an EMA, a physician shall meet the following qualifications:

(a) Must have correctly answered 95% of the EMA Tutorial review questions; and,

(b) Must hold valid licensure, issued by the Florida Department of Health, with “clear active” status; and,

(c) Must demonstrate board certification or board eligibility applicable to the specialty for which the applicant seeks certification by submitting proof of current certification or eligibility; and,

(d) Must demonstrate experience in the assignment of permanent impairment ratings to Florida’s injured employees, pursuant to rule 69L-7.604, F.A.C., within the two-year period immediately preceding the date of application by submitting a minimum of two (2) copies of a completed DFS-F5-DWC-25, Florida Workers’ Compensation Uniform Medical Treatment/Status Reporting Form, as incorporated in rule 69L-7.710(2)(d), F.A.C., assigning a permanent impairment rating; and,

(e) Must demonstrate experience in performing Independent Medical Examinations pursuant to subsection 440.13(2) or 440.13(5), F.S., by submitting a minimum of two (2) copies of a completed Independent Medical Examination report for a determination of the appropriateness of medical treatment being recommended or provided to an injured employee or for a determination of the injured employee’s disability and physical limitations, within the two-year period immediately preceding the date of application; and,

(f) Must have completed twenty hours of continuing medical education (CME), specifically related to the physician’s field of specialty, within the two-year period immediately preceding the date of application. Proof of required CMEs must be provided at time of application. Completion of courses required for licensure by the Florida Department of Health addressing Domestic Violence, HIV-AIDS and Prevention of Medical Errors will not be applied to the medical continuing education requirements for EMA Certification.

(2) A physician who has performed services as a Temporary EMA for either a JCC or the Department within the two-year period immediately preceding the date of application for certification shall not be required to meet the requirements of paragraphs (1)(d) and (e) of this rule.

(3) An EMA applying for renewal prior to or no more than 90 days after the expiration of the EMA’s most current certification period shall not be required to meet the requirement of paragraph (1)(a) of this rule.

(4) A physician who, pursuant to a final order, has been found to have engaged in certain violations, including a standard of care or billing violation, or overutilization, pursuant to subsection 440.13(8), (13), or (15), F.S., shall not be certified as an EMA.

Rulemaking Authority 440.13(9), 440.591 FS. Law Implemented 440.13(9) FS. History–New 1-23-95, Amended 6-8-95, Formerly 38F-54.003, Amended 10-11-06, Formerly 59A-30.003, Amended 3-1-16, 5-18-17.