Definitions; ss. 766.301-766.316.

As used in ss. 766.301-766.316, the term:

(1) “Actuarially sound” means that the total plan assets available to fund future liabilities are equal to or greater than 90 percent of the present value of total estimated liabilities excluding any risk margin.

(2) “Administrative law judge” means an administrative law judge appointed by the division.

(3) “Association” means the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association established in s. 766.315 to administer the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Plan and the plan of operation established in s. 766.314.

(4) “Birth-related neurological injury” means injury to the brain or spinal cord of a live infant weighing at least 2,500 grams for a single gestation or, in the case of a multiple gestation, a live infant weighing at least 2,000 grams at birth caused by oxygen deprivation or mechanical injury occurring in the course of labor, delivery, or resuscitation in the immediate postdelivery period in a hospital, which renders the infant permanently and substantially mentally and physically impaired. This definition shall apply to live births only and does not include disability or death caused by genetic or congenital abnormality.

(5) “Claimant” means any person who files a claim pursuant to s. 766.305 for a birth-related neurological injury to an infant. Such a claim may be filed by any legal representative on behalf of an injured infant; and, in the case of a deceased infant, the claim may be filed by an administrator, personal representative, or other legal representative thereof.

(6) “Division” means the Division of Administrative Hearings of the Department of Management Services.

(7) “Family member” means a father, mother, or legal guardian.

(8) “Family residential or custodial care” means care normally rendered by trained professional attendants which is beyond the scope of child care duties, but which is provided by family members. Family members who provide nonprofessional residential or custodial care may not be compensated under this act for care that falls within the scope of child care duties and other services normally and gratuitously provided by family members. Family residential or custodial care shall be performed only at the direction and control of a physician when such care is medically necessary. Reasonable charges for expenses for family residential or custodial care provided by a family member shall be determined as follows:

(a) If the family member is not employed, the per-hour value equals the federal minimum hourly wage.

(b) If the family member is employed and elects to leave that employment to provide such care, the per-hour value of that care shall equal the rates established by Medicaid for private duty services provided by a home health aide. A family member or a combination of family members providing care in accordance with this definition may not be compensated for more than a total of 10 hours per day. Family care is in lieu of professional residential or custodial care, and no professional residential or custodial care may be awarded for the period of time during the day that family care is being provided.

(9) “Hospital” means any hospital licensed in Florida.

(10) “Office” means the Office of Insurance Regulation.

(11) “Participant” means the person who suffered a birth-related neurological injury as an infant and who accepted compensation under the plan by final order entered by an administrative law judge pursuant to s. 766.309.

(12) “Participating physician” means a physician licensed in Florida to practice medicine who practices obstetrics or performs obstetrical services either full time or part time and who had paid or was exempted from payment at the time of the injury the assessment required for participation in the birth-related neurological injury compensation plan for the year in which the injury occurred. Such term does not apply to any physician who practices medicine as an officer, employee, or agent of the Federal Government.

(13) “Plan” means the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Plan established under s. 766.303.

(14) “Risk margin” means an additional, explicit allowance above the best-estimate reserve to reflect uncertainty in future claim payments, including variations in claimant life expectancy and the number and cost of pending or unreported claims. The risk margin is not included in the reserve amount used to calculate the funding ratio.