This article was contributed by Audrey M. Castro, Esquire, an associate attorney with the Bichler, Oliver, Longo & Fox, PLLC, firm.
There are currently 151 Approved EMA’s in the State of Florida.
To qualify as an EMA, a physician must possess a current CLEAR/ACTIVE Florida Department of Health license and must be board certified in a specialty area. Once a physician is certified as an EMA, the certification will be valid for a period of two years. However, if at any time during the certification period, the physician no longer meets all qualifications for certification, the EMA shall be decertified and removed from the Certification List, which is why it is important to verify the EMA’s license status prior to engaging an EMA for services.
In a similar manner, “a physician who has performed services as a Temporary EMA for either a JCC or the Department within the two-year period immediately preceding the date of application for certification shall not be required to meet the requirements of paragraphs (1)(d) and (e) of this rule,” below. Chapter 69L-30(2) F.A.C.
Physicians can apply directly to the Division through the Medical Portal through the link here.
Applicable Law:
Chapter 69L-30 F.A.C. and Fla. Stat. 440.13(9)
Requirements for EMA Certification:
Pursuant to Chapter 69L-30 F.A.C.,
(1) To be certified as an EMA, a physician shall meet the following qualifications:
(a) Must have correctly answered 95% of the EMA Tutorial review questions; and,
(b) Must hold valid licensure, issued by the Florida Department of Health, with “clear active” status; and,
(c) Must demonstrate board certification or board eligibility applicable to the specialty for which the applicant seeks certification by submitting proof of current certification or eligibility; and,
(d) Must demonstrate experience in the assignment of permanent impairment ratings to Florida’s injured employees, pursuant to Rule 69L-7.604, F.A.C., within the two-year period immediately preceding the date of application by submitting a minimum of two (2) copies of a completed DFS-F5-DWC-25, Florida Workers’ Compensation Uniform Medical Treatment/Status Reporting Form, as incorporated in Rule 69L-7.710(2)(d), F.A.C., assigning a permanent impairment rating; and,
(e) Must demonstrate experience in performing Independent Medical Examinations pursuant to subsection 440.13(2) or 440.13(5), F.S., by submitting a minimum of two (2) copies of a completed Independent Medical Examination report for a determination of the appropriateness of medical treatment being recommended or provided to an injured employee or for a determination of the injured employee’s disability and physical limitations, within the two-year period immediately preceding the date of application; and,
(f) Must have completed twenty hours of continuing medical education (CME), specifically related to the physician’s field of specialty, within the two-year period immediately preceding the date of application. Proof of required CMEs must be provided at the time of application. Completion of courses required for licensure by the Florida Department of Health addressing Domestic Violence, HIV-AIDS and Prevention of Medical Errors will not be applied to the medical continuing education requirements for EMA Certification.
Important Links:
EMA Search Page:
https://apps.fldfs.com/provider/HCPSearch.aspx
Rule 69L-30:
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=69L-30
Fla. Stat. 440(13):
License Status Search Page:
https://appsmqa.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/Home