Florida Senate - 2021                                    SB 1506
       
       
        
       By Senator Burgess
       
       
       
       
       
       20-00825-21                                           20211506__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to disability claim coordinators;
    3         creating s. 381.029, F.S.; defining the terms
    4         “department” and “disability claim coordinator”;
    5         authorizing counties to request the Department of
    6         Health to assign disability claim coordinators to
    7         their respective county health departments; providing
    8         that the counties are responsible for such
    9         coordinators’ employment terms, duty assignments, and
   10         salaries and benefits; requiring the department to
   11         certify disability claim coordinators if they meet
   12         certain qualifications; requiring disability claim
   13         coordinators to complete certain initial and annual
   14         training; providing requirements for such training;
   15         providing duties for disability claim coordinators;
   16         authorizing the department to adopt rules; providing
   17         an effective date.
   18          
   19  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   20  
   21         Section 1. Section 381.029, Florida Statutes, is created to
   22  read:
   23         381.029 Disability Claim Coordinators.—
   24         (1) As used in this section, the term:
   25         (a) “Department” means the Department of Health.
   26         (b) “Disability claim coordinator” means a person certified
   27  by the department to assist residents seeking state or federal
   28  disability benefits.
   29         (2) Counties may request the department to assign
   30  disability claim coordinators to their respective county health
   31  departments to assist residents seeking state or federal
   32  disability benefits. A county that requests assignment of a
   33  disability claim coordinator is responsible for determining the
   34  employment terms, assigning duties, and paying the salary and
   35  benefits for the position.
   36         (3) The department shall certify as a disability claim
   37  coordinator an individual who meets the qualifications
   38  prescribed by the department in rule. Disability claim
   39  coordinators must complete initial and annual training approved
   40  by the department. The training must include, at a minimum,
   41  coverage of all state and federal laws and rules related to
   42  disability benefits, including eligibility requirements,
   43  eligible benefits, and the application and appeals processes for
   44  disability determinations and benefit claims.
   45         (4) A disability claim coordinator shall do all of the
   46  following:
   47         (a) Meet, interview, counsel, and obtain information from
   48  clients who are seeking state or federal benefits for
   49  disabilities and assist them in preparing or submitting claims
   50  for such benefits.
   51         (b) Provide accurate and current information related to the
   52  eligibility requirements and application for and administration
   53  of state and federal disability benefits.
   54         (c) Review disability determinations, coordinate with the
   55  claims examiners to ensure that the determinations accurately
   56  reflect the clients’ medical conditions and comply with state
   57  and federal laws and rules, and initiate corrective action or
   58  appellate review if deemed appropriate in the disability claim
   59  coordinator’s professional judgment.
   60         (d) Assist in preparing and perfecting claims appeals and
   61  provide representation at related hearings.
   62         (e) Coordinate with the department’s Division of Disability
   63  Determinations, including the area office responsible for the
   64  county; local field offices for the Social Security
   65  Administration; local regional offices for the United States
   66  Department of Veterans Affairs; any local organizations that
   67  assist residents in applying for disability benefits; and any
   68  other state or federal agencies responsible for processing or
   69  providing disability benefits in this state.
   70         (f) Link clients to additional resources available in their
   71  communities.
   72         (5) The department may adopt rules to implement this
   73  section.
   74         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.