Class Code 8835: Florida Home Health Rates
NCCI Class Code 8835 Home Health Care — 2026 FWCJUA Rate $1.38 per $100 Payroll
| Agency Size | Annual Payroll | Base Premium | Monthly (PEO) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 aides | $250,000 | $3,450 | $288 |
| 20 aides | $500,000 | $6,900 | $575 |
| 50 aides | $1,250,000 | $17,250 | $1,438 |
2026 FWCJUA rates. No deposit through PEO program.
Why PEO Works for Home Health Agencies
Part-Time and Per-Diem Coverage
Home health agencies often have large rosters of part-time and per-diem workers. PEO billing is based on actual payroll each period — you only pay for hours actually worked.
High Turnover Accepted
Home health has some of the highest turnover rates in any industry. PEO programs accept this because billing adjusts automatically with each payroll run, eliminating the audit risk that causes standard carriers to decline.
No Deposit
Traditional home health workers' comp policies require a deposit of 25–33% of estimated annual premium. PEO workers' comp has zero deposit — you pay with each payroll run.
Same-Day COI
Medicaid and Medicare contracts, managed care organizations, and hospital discharge planners require a current COI before referring patients. PEO enrollment takes 24–48 hours and COI issuance is immediate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What NCCI class code applies to home health agencies in Florida?
The primary class code for home health care workers in Florida is 8835 (Home Health Care — Professional), rated at approximately $1.38 per $100 of payroll under the 2026 FWCJUA filing. This covers home health aides, CNAs, and personal care attendants who provide care in clients' homes. Skilled nursing visits may be classified under 8833 (Hospital/Nursing Home) at a slightly lower rate.
How much does workers comp cost for a home health agency in Florida?
Using the 2026 rate of $1.38/$100 payroll for code 8835, a home health agency with 20 aides earning $25,000 each ($500,000 total payroll) would have a base premium of approximately $6,900 per year — or about $575 per month. Home health is one of the lower-cost workers' comp industries, but agencies are frequently declined by standard carriers due to the nature of the workforce.
Why are home health agencies hard to place for workers comp?
Standard carriers frequently decline home health agencies because: (1) workers operate in private residences where the employer has no control over the environment; (2) patient handling injuries (back injuries from lifting and transferring patients) are extremely common; (3) many home health workers are part-time or have irregular schedules; and (4) the industry has high employee turnover. PEO programs accept home health agencies because the group policy absorbs these individual account risks.
Does workers comp cover home health aides injured at a client's home?
Yes. Workers' comp covers home health aides injured while performing work duties regardless of where the injury occurs — including at a client's home. If an aide injures their back while transferring a patient, trips on a rug in a client's home, or is bitten by a client's pet, workers' comp covers the medical treatment and wage replacement. The employer has no control over the client's home environment, but this does not affect coverage.
Can I get workers comp for home health workers who are independent contractors?
This is a complex area. If your home health workers are truly independent contractors under Florida's ABC test, they are not employees and you are not required to cover them. However, if they are misclassified — meaning they work exclusively for you, follow your schedule, and use your equipment — the Florida DWC may reclassify them as employees and hold you liable for coverage. PEO programs can help properly classify workers and provide coverage for those who are employees.
What are the most common home health workers comp claims?
The most common home health workers' comp claims are: (1) patient handling injuries — back, shoulder, and knee injuries from lifting, transferring, and repositioning patients; (2) slip-and-fall injuries in client homes; (3) needlestick injuries for clinical staff; (4) dog bites and animal attacks at client homes; and (5) motor vehicle accidents while traveling between client homes. Patient handling injuries are the most expensive due to the severity of back and shoulder injuries.