Greetings,

The end of November is sneaking up on us again, and this is a reminder to be on our toes for 1-time change shenanigans over the Thanksgiving break.

Based on multiple 1^st DCA decisions interpreting the 1-time change section of the FL WC statute (440.13(2)(f)), we only have 5 calendar days to respond to a claimant’s written 1-time change request with the name of the doctor we select or the claimant gets to select their doctor.  He who controls the doctors controls the claim.

For Thanksgiving week, that means anything emailed, efiled, faxed or received in the mail before 11:59 p.m. on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (11/27) must be responded to by 11:59 pm. on Monday (12/2).  It does not matter if your office closes early on Wednesday, or if you were off that day, it’s the date stamp of when it was received by the carrier/TPA or filed on DOAH.

A couple of items to be aware of:

• Within 5 calendar days, we must provide the name of our choice of 1-time change doctor (who is not affiliated with the current treater)

• The new doctor must be in the same specialty as the original treater.

• If it’s at the walk-in level, we must name a doctor and not just the new facility.  It doesn’t matter if the claimant winds up seeing a different doctor at the new walk-in.

• The claimant’s request for a 1-time change must be in writing, but that can be in an email, a fax, a letter, a cover letter, a PFB, a Managed Care Grievance form, scan anything received from the claimant or their atty.

• The request does not have to use the words “1-time change”.   Look out for an “alternative provider” or a doctor “per 440.13(2)(f)”.   It can’t be deceptive, but there are no magic words required.

• If a claim is denied, the claimant still gets a 1-time change in most instances (unless its coverage, not an employee, intoxication, etc…non-medical denial reasons). 

• Make sure they have not used it prior in the claim, they only get one 1-time change per date of accident, it says it right in the name 😊.

In an abundance of caution, I would also recommend emailing or faxing authorization to the new provider within the 5 days as well.  I know many doctors want to review records before agreeing to see the claimant, and we should at least start the process.  We do not need to provide an appointment date within 5 days, but we have to document diligence in following up to get the appointment set.  Note every phone call, email or fax you send to follow up in your notes.

If you need any help finding doctors, always feel to reach out to me or someone in the firm.

Hope to see you at our firm’s holiday parties!  

12/5   Tampa

12/6     Orlando

12/14     Atlanta

Sincerely,

Morgan Indek | Managing Partner