A Tampa, Fla., company has sent fliers to chiropractors suggesting ways to capitalize on potential loopholes in new legislation aimed at denting the runaway fraud plaguing Florida’s mandatory motor vehicle no-fault law.
The legislation (HB 119) – which hasn’t yet reached the governor’s desk – still requires all Florida drivers to carry $10,000 in coverage for accident injuries, although it also created a lower ceiling of $2,500 in coverage for non-emergency treatment to cut down on abuses. Florida leads the nation in the number of staged accidents.
The Tampa health care staffing agency is offering to send medical doctors or osteopathic physicians to chiropractor’s offices to examine patients and fill out paperwork that could possibly qualify them as an “emergency” and eligible for the maximum $10,000 personal injury protection benefit.

“Chiropractors. Don’t miss out on your $7,500,” the Medical on Demand Staffing solicitation promises. “We Have The Medical Doctors You Need.”

Darrell Stollings, chief executive officer of the medical staffing and placement firm, said Wednesday that he’s not trying to skirt conditions of the new legislation although he agreed that his flier was an eye-catcher.

“We have physicians who are available to look at the patient to make sure that patient is medically needing of that (chiropractic) service,” Stollings explained. “If not, they don’t get that service.”

Other saw it differently.

FULL STORY

“The governor hasn’t even signed the bill yet and some firm is sending this thing around?” asked Rep. Jim Boyd, a Bradenton Republican who sponsored the legislation. “It’s very brazen and I think action will be taken if someone is trying to do something that is not acceptable.”