Purpose
Rules are being amended which govern the process for resolution of disputes between workers’ compensation carriers and health care providers. Revised forms are adopted. Rule 69L-31.005, F.A.C., is amended to provide greater detail regarding materials required to be included in a petition for dispute resolution. Rule 69L-31.008, F.A.C., is revised to provide clarity regarding computation of the time period to submit a petition for dispute resolution, including expanding the time period for submitting petitions for dispute resolution from 30 to 45 days. The time period in Rule 69L-31.009, F.A.C., for a carrier to respond to a petition is expanded from 10 to 30 days. New Rule 69L-31.016, F.A.C., is proposed to limit the scope of the dispute resolutions to compliance with standards under Chapter 440, FS., and exclude issues of contract interpretation. New Rule 69L-31.017, F.A.C. is proposed to stipulate the consequences for failure to comply with Department Determinations. Minor edits to enhance clarity and additional technical changes are also included. The proposed rules have been renumbered accordingly.