Surcharge collection, procedure

287.717. Surcharge collection, procedure — failure to pay, interest assessed, when. — 1. Beginning January 1, 2004, the administrative surcharge established pursuant to section 287.716 shall be collected from deductible plan policyholders by each insurer at the same time and in the same manner that the premium is collected, but no insurer or its agent shall be entitled to any portion of the administrative surcharge as a fee or commission for its collection. The administrative surcharge is not subject to any taxes, licenses, or fees.

2. All administrative surcharges imposed pursuant to section 287.716 shall be paid to the Missouri director of revenue and shall be deposited to the workers' compensation administrative fund.

3. The amount of the administrative surcharge due for the current calendar year shall be paid in four approximately equal estimated quarterly installments, and a fifth reconciling installment. The first four installments shall be based upon the amount of administrative surcharge payable in the calendar year for which the surcharge is imposed. The quarterly installments shall be made on the first day of March, the first day of June, the first day of September, and the first day of December. On or before the first day of March of each year, every such insurer shall submit a report, verified by the affidavit of its president and secretary or other chief officers or agents, to the director of the department of commerce and insurance, stating the amount of all such total premiums which would have been paid for the deductible portion.

4. If after the end of any calendar year, the amount of the actual administrative surcharge due is less than the total amount of the installments actually paid, the amount by which the amount paid exceeds the amount due shall only be credited against the administrative surcharge for the following year and deducted from the quarterly installment due on June first and any other payments required by this section until the credit is exhausted. In the event no such payments are due and upon application of the insurer, the director of revenue may refund the amount of credit if no other obligation is owed to the state.

5. If a deductible plan policyholder fails to make payment of the administrative surcharge, or an insurer fails to make timely transfer to the director of revenue of administrative surcharges actually collected from deductible plan policyholders, as required by this section, a late charge of one-half of one percent of the administrative surcharge unpaid, or transferred, shall be assessed against the liable deductible plan policyholder or insurer. Late charges assessed pursuant to this subsection shall be collected in a civil action by a summary proceeding brought by the director of the division of workers' compensation.

6. If the administrative surcharges imposed by this section are not paid when due, the deductible plan policyholder or insurer shall be required to pay, as part of such administrative surcharge, interest thereon at the rate of one and one-half percent per month for each month or fraction thereof delinquent. In the event the state prevails in any dispute concerning an assessment of the administrative surcharge, which has not been paid by the policyholder or insurer, interest shall be paid upon the amount found due to the state at the rate of one and one-half percent per month for each month or fraction thereof delinquent.

7. The division may authorize electronic transfer of all forms, reports, payments, and other information deemed appropriate by the division as required pursuant to this section and sections 287.690, 287.710, 287.715, and 287.716. Information filed pursuant to this section and sections 287.690, 287.710, 287.715, and 287.716 and under any rules promulgated by the division pursuant to this section and sections 287.690, 287.710, 287.715, and 287.716 shall be confidential and not subject to chapter 610.

8. This section shall not apply to any employer or group of employers authorized by the division to self-insure their liability pursuant to this chapter.