Workers Comp Class Code 8835 — Home Health Care — Aide Services
Florida NCCI Workers Comp Classification
FL NCCI Rate
$1.38
per $100 of payroll
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
For code 8835, a worker earning $800/week costs just $11.02/week in workers comp through our PEO program.
FL NCCI Rate
$1.38/$100
per $100 payroll
Risk Level
Medium
NCCI classification
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
Approval Time
24–48 hrs
most industries
What Is Workers Comp Class Code 8835?
NCCI class code 8835 covers Home Health Care — Aide Services in Florida. This classification is used by workers' compensation carriers to determine premium rates based on the relative injury risk of workers in this occupation. The Florida NCCI rate for code 8835 is $1.38 per $100 of payroll, placing it in the medium-risk tier.
Covers home health aides, personal care attendants, and companion caregivers providing in-home services to elderly, disabled, or recovering patients. Florida's large senior population makes home health one of the fastest-growing industries in the state. Lifting and transferring patients is the #1 cause of injuries.
Code 8835 is a non-construction classification. Florida requires workers' compensation for non-construction employers with 4 or more employees, though coverage is strongly recommended for businesses of any size to protect against catastrophic injury costs.
What Does This Rate Mean in Real Dollars?
At $1.38 per $100 (2026 FWCJUA rate), a home health aide earning $550/week costs about $7.58/week in workers comp. Home health agencies often have 20-50 aides working variable hours — PEO handles all of it, including the complex payroll for live-in caregivers and per-visit workers.
Rate History — Code 8835
5-Year Rate Trend
Code 8835 — Florida NCCI rates
Source: Florida NCCI rate filings 2020–2024
Florida NCCI rates for code 8835 have decreased from $2.10 to $1.38 over the past 5 years — a positive trend for employers.
Why PEO Makes Sense for Code 8835
No deposit. No audit. Same-day COI.
Home health agencies face unique compliance challenges — Medicaid/Medicare billing, background check requirements, and complex payroll for workers with variable hours. PEO handles the workers comp piece seamlessly, and many PEO programs also offer HR support for the compliance requirements specific to home health agencies.
No Deposit
Pay as you go each week
No Audit
Premium based on actual payroll
Same-Day COI
Instant certificate issuance
📋 Real-World Example
A home health agency in Pinellas County has 30 aides. An aide injures her back while transferring a 250-lb patient from a wheelchair to a bed. She requires surgery and 4 months of physical therapy. Workers comp covers the $78,000 in medical costs and lost wages. Without coverage, this claim could bankrupt a small agency.
Common Job Titles Under Code 8835
Top Workers Comp Risks for Code 8835
The NCCI rate for this classification reflects the frequency and severity of workers' compensation claims historically filed by workers in this occupation. The primary risks include:
Florida Workers Comp Requirements for Code 8835
Florida Statute Chapter 440 governs workers' compensation requirements. For non-construction employers classified under code 8835, coverage is required when you have 4 or more employees. However, even with fewer than 4 employees, a serious workplace injury could result in significant personal liability.
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation conducts random job site inspections and can issue an immediate stop-work order if coverage is not current. The penalty is equal to twice the amount of premium that should have been paid, plus $1,000 per day per employee while uninsured.
OSHA Standards That Apply to Code 8835
Workers in this classification are subject to the following OSHA standards. Violations of these standards are the most common triggers for workers' compensation claims in this trade.
OSHA 1910.269
Safe Patient Handling: while not a formal OSHA standard, OSHA's Safe Patient Handling guidelines apply to home health aides performing patient transfers.
OSHA 1910.1030
Bloodborne Pathogens: home health aides who perform wound care or assist with medical procedures must follow bloodborne pathogen exposure control plans.
Florida Statute 400.462
Home Health Services: Florida-specific licensing requirements for home health agencies, including worker background screening mandates.
OSHA 1910.132
PPE: gloves, masks, and gowns required when aides perform personal care for clients with infectious conditions.
Florida Stop-Work Order Cases — Code 8835
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation (DFS) actively enforces coverage requirements. Below are representative enforcement cases involving businesses classified under code 8835.
Pinellas County, 2023: A home health agency with 18 aides was found operating without workers comp. DFS issued a stop-work order. Penalty: $21,600.
Miami-Dade County, 2022: An agency classified all aides as independent contractors. DFS determined they were employees based on the agency's scheduling and supervision control. Retroactive premium plus penalties: $44,800.
Broward County, 2023: A home health agency had coverage but excluded the agency owner from the policy. When the owner was injured assisting a client, the claim was initially denied.
Source: Florida DFS enforcement records. Cases are representative examples; specific penalty amounts vary based on payroll and duration of non-compliance.
Typical Payroll & Workers Comp Cost — Code 8835
These are representative payroll ranges for businesses classified under code 8835 in Florida. Actual costs depend on your specific payroll, experience mod, and underwriting factors.
| Crew Size | Weekly Payroll | Est. Annual Comp Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 aides (small agency) | $2,500/week | $1,791/year |
| 15 aides (mid-size agency) | $7,500/week | $5,374/year |
| 30 aides (larger agency) | $15,000/week | $10,748/year |
Estimates based on Florida NCCI rate $1.38/$100 of payroll. Pre-underwriting estimate only.
Why Standard Carriers Decline Code 8835
Many standard insurance carriers restrict or decline coverage for businesses classified under code 8835. Understanding these declination triggers helps you find the right coverage path.
Home health agencies with prior back injury claims (patient transfer injuries) face declinations from standard carriers after 2+ claims in 3 years.
Agencies that provide skilled nursing or therapy services (not just companion care) may be reclassified to a higher-rated code at audit.
New home health agencies (under 1 year) often cannot obtain standard market coverage and must use the PEO or assigned risk pool.
Common Workers Comp Audit Mistakes for Code 8835
Year-end workers comp audits frequently result in unexpected additional premiums for businesses classified under code 8835. These are the most common audit mistakes to avoid.
Including mileage reimbursements in the payroll base — IRS-rate mileage reimbursements are excluded from workers comp premium calculations.
Classifying live-in caregivers under a lower-rated code when they should be under 8835 — auditors will reclassify and charge back premium.
Not tracking hours for part-time aides — without records, auditors may estimate payroll at a higher rate.
Experience Mod (EMR) & PEO Advantage
Back injuries from patient transfers are the most expensive and frequent claim type in home health. A single surgery + PT claim runs $60,000–$120,000. With a PEO, your agency's individual loss history doesn't follow you — you're rated on the master policy's pooled experience.
Frequently Asked Questions — Code 8835
What is the workers comp rate for class code 8835 in Florida?
The Florida NCCI rate for class code 8835 (Home Health Care — Aide Services) is $1.38 per $100 of payroll. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll, the estimated annual workers comp cost is $2,067.
Can I get same-day workers comp coverage for class code 8835?
Yes. Through Comp Ninjas's PEO program, most businesses classified under code 8835 can be approved and receive a Certificate of Insurance (COI) within 24–48 hours. Same-day COI issuance is available in most cases once your application is complete.
Is class code 8835 considered high-risk in Florida?
Code 8835 is classified as medium-risk based on its NCCI rate of $1.38 per $100 of payroll. This is a moderate rate that most carriers will cover, though our PEO pay-as-you-go program typically offers better terms than a traditional standalone policy.
What is the difference between a PEO and a traditional workers comp policy for code 8835?
A traditional policy for code 8835 requires an upfront deposit (typically 25–35% of annual premium), a year-end audit, and a minimum payroll requirement. Our PEO pay-as-you-go program calculates premium on actual payroll each cycle — no deposit, no audit, no minimum. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll under code 8835, the annual cost would be approximately $2,067.
How do I switch to a PEO program if I already have a workers comp policy for code 8835?
You can switch at any time — you don't need to wait for your current policy to expire. We handle the transition and coordinate with your current carrier to avoid any coverage gaps. Most clients are enrolled and covered within 24–48 hours of submitting their application.
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