TEST FWCJUA Producer Committee Votes to Streamline Online Application Process, Revise Forms

During a teleconference today, November 1, 2010, the Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association (“FWCJUA”) Producer Committee (“Committee”) approved revisions that will streamline the process of coverage submissions for online applications.

Programming changes would enable the following forms to be populated and printed similar to the ACORD 130 FL & ACORD 133 FL, as required, dependent on responses to specific questions posed during the online application submission process:

• Contractor’s Supplemental Application
• FWCJUA Supplemental Employee Leasing Application
• Horse Trainer’s Supplemental Application
• Truckers Supplemental Application
• ERM-14 Form

Several substantive changes to the ACORD forms were also proposed.

The programming revisions are estimated to cost a maximum of $30,625.  The changes will be reviewed by the FWCJUA Board of Governors during its November 2010 meeting.

A key programming change will require FWCJUA applicants to complete all supplemental forms before they are able to submit their final application.  The existing process allows applicants to submit applications without any built-in safeguard to determine if all of these supplements have been completed and filed.  Missing forms can delay the FWCJUA’s eligibility review.

If the enhancement gets final Board approval, the maximum programming expense will be included within the projected 2011 budget.  The target date to begin using the proposed enhancements is April 1, 2011.

Committee members also discussed and approved the following form revisions, which included the standardization of notary-related language:

• ACORD 130 FL Additional Information Form:  Language was added to ensure the attachment of a Premium Finance Agreement
• ACORD 133 FL (2011/01):  The requirement for an applicant to attach proof of federal tax exempt status was removed. The form also was revised to reflect the Employer Eligibility Rule that was recently modified by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation on September 15, 2010.
• Contractor Supplemental Application:  The form’s title was amended and a request for the applicant’s Web site address was included, among other technical changes.
• Employee Leasing Supplemental Application:  This form was split into two separate forms to provide more space for the labor contractor and client to answer questions relating to the leasing arrangement.
•  Horse Trainer Supplemental Application:   The requirement to attach a badge and stall lists was eliminated, inasmuch as this is virtually obsolete practice.  The form includes a specific inquiry of whether the applicant trains horses in other states and also seeks information to determine whether affiliated exercise riders may be considered employees under the law.
• Trucker Supplemental Application:  Among other changes, revisions to this form add additional questions to determine if drivers are independent owner/operators or subcontractors.

A copy of the proposed form revisions are attached for review.

Accompanying changes to the FWCJUA Manual and other several forms are part of the overall streamlining process. The revised forms and reformatted Operations Manual is expected to be filed for Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“OIR”) approval to become effective on January 1, 2011.

Should you have any comments or questions, please contact Colodny Fass.