FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The state has adopted changes to the Physician, Home Care, Transportation, Inpatient and Outpatient/ASC Facility Fee Schedules with an effective date of April 1, 2016. The fee schedule is published by Fair Health.  The most current CMS 1500 billing form, version 2/12, is adopted by this fee schedule.  The next update is scheduled for April 1, 2017.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted on February 12, 2016 that the Workers’ Compensation New Board Rules and Forms will become effective February 16, 2016.  A summary of the board rule changes effective February 16, 2016 is attached.  The forms revised include Form 6 Wage Statement; Form 14 Notice of Claim; Form 14a Request to Change Employee Information; From 20a Medical Report; Form 25 Application/Objection for Lump Sum Settlement/Advance Payment; From 100 Request for Settlement Mediation; Form R1 Request for Rehabilitation; Form R2 Employee’s Request for Catastrophic Designation; Form Rehab Objection Form Change of Address; and Form Change of Information (new form).

LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS:

• House Bill 402
  The enacted legislation amends Chapter 9 of Title 33 and Chapter 9 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the regulation of insurance rates and workers’ compensation. The legislation strives to encourage employers to provide work based learning opportunities for students age 16 and older.  In order to provide for optional reduction in workers’ compensation premiums for employers that provide work based learning.  The legislation provides that work based learning students are covered under workers’ compensation insurance.  The legislation establishes criteria for employers providing work based learning. Effective Date July 1, 2016.
• House Bill 818
  Amends Chapter 9 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to workers’ compensation. The legislation increases the maximum average weekly wage for temporary total benefits from $550.00 per week to $575.00 per week.  The legislation also increases the maximum average weekly wage for temporary partial benefits from $367.00 per week to $383.00 per week not to exceed a period of 350 weeks. Compensation for death benefits is increased from $220, 00.00 to $230,000.00.  The enacted legislation revised Code Section 34-9-381(Self-Insurers Guaranty Trust Fund). Part of the revision includes a list of entities that may not be members or participate in the Self-insurers’ Guaranty Trust Fund.  The legislation also provides that administrative law judges are subject to the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct. The legislation also establishes provisions related to an employer’s duties to provide the State Board of Workers’ Compensation with certain information. Effective Date July 1, 2016.
• Senate Bill 347
  Amends Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.  The enacted legislation relates to insurance.  It provides for extensive changes to the captive insurance company provisions of this title.  The enacted legislation provides for definitions for types of captive insurance companies and for creation and regulation of different types of captive insurance companies.  It provides for certain exemptions and changes certain requirements.  The legislation also provides for regulation by the Commissioner and repeals conflicting laws.  Effective Date July 1, 2016.