Claims

Discount Programs

Financial information

Initial coverage

Micro Insurance Reserving Analysis (MIRA)

Personalized Policy Scenarios

• Premium Discount Program +
• Drug Free Workplace Program (DFWP)
• Retrospective rating
• Elective coverage
• Experience modifier calculations

Premiums/Payroll/Continuous Coverage

Professional employer organizations (PEOs)

Rating Programs

Self-Insured

Safety & Hygiene

1A. If you have any employees, you must have an active workers compensation policy to insure coverage for those employees against a workplace injury. ORC 4123.01 details the requirements for workers compensation coverage for Ohio employers.

2A. Owners of sole proprietorships, partners in a partnership and individuals incorporated as a corporation (with no employees) are not considered employees and have the option whether or not to cover themselves.

3A. The benefit of elective supplemental coverage is that sole proprietors, partners, individuals incorporated as a corporation (with no employees) or family farm corporate officers can report a work injury against their policy and upon BWC approval of the claim, medical bills and lost time wages can be paid. The liability of elective coverage is that sole proprietors, partners, individuals incorporated as a corporation (with no employees) or family farm corporate officers must report their wages to BWC and pay the appropriate premiums on their net income.
Minimum/Maximum payroll reporting requirements

4A. All employees including corporate officers, except for individuals incorporated as a corporation with no employees or family farm corporate officers, are considered employees and must have an active workers' compensation policy covering them.

5A. The Application for Ohio Workers Compensation Coverage U-3 is available to complete and submit online or it can printed and mailed in to BWC. A $10 deposit is required.
Click here to access the online
U-3 Ohio Workers Compensation Coverage application

6A. After a claim for a work injury is allowed, the policy will cover payment of medical bills, compensation for lost wages, permanent disability and settlements. To learn more about additional benefits that may be available to injured workers, click below.
Types of Compensation available to Injured Workers

7A. The employer can either pay the estimated bill with penalties or submit the payroll report and pay the actual premium due. When payment is received, coverage will be reinstated. Reinstated coverage is not retroactive but goes into effective the date payment is received.

8A. No. But if an injury occurred prior to an employer taking out coverage, the employer can request that the premium due for the prior to coverage period be applied to the costs of the claim.

9A. ORC 4123-01 states that an employer must have workers compensation coverage when there are employees working for the business. ORC 4123.37 and OAC 4123-14-02 outline the procedures for collecting premiums for coverage when an employer is non-compliant.

10A. Yes. All employees must be covered.

11A. Coverage is not available for individuals who volunteer for private employers including non-profit organizations. However, public employers such as villages, townships etc., are required to obtain coverage for volunteers who provide emergency services. Click below for more information on coverage for volunteers.
Volunteers Performing Emergency Service Duties
Volunteers Performing Non-Emergency Duties

12A. When an employer stops doing business in Ohio, they must notify BWC in writing to cancel their workers compensation coverage. If this is not done BWC will continue to estimate premiums, assess penalties and send invoices.
Click here for additional information on Canceling Coverage

13A. Yes, you can establish coverage by completing your application online. You can obtain a certificate of premium payment and it can be downloaded and printed if the entire premium payment is made online using Quick Pay.
Click here to access the online U-3 Ohio Workers Compensation Coverage Application
Or you can fax your application if you are paying by credit card and BWC can establish your coverage the same day your application is received. Certificates can be faxed upon request. Same day coverage can also be obtained by personally applying at one of BWC's 21 Customer Service Offices.

14A. Employers can now update their name and address online.
Click here to Update Employer Demographics.

15A. Yes. If an employer wishes to cancel their entire policy they can do so by accessing their Coverage History through the Employer Policy menu. Once viewing the coverage history the employer is given the option to request cancellation of the policy. Elective coverage can be added or canceled through Elective coverage.

16A. The keyword must be in the selected category (e.g., manufacturing, service, agriculture) Try another category.

17A. Once you select a classification and the rates are displayed, you cannot change or select another classification.

18A. First, you are responsible for notifying BWC of the succession by completing and submitting Notification of Acquisition/Merger or Purchase/Sale (U-118). For successions taking place on or after Sept. 1, 2006, BWC transfers any and all existing and future liabilities or credits of the former (predecessor) employer as well as the experience rating when a new employer (successor) wholly succeeds another employer in the operation of a business. If the new employer acquires only a portion of the business, BWC only transfers that portion of the former employer’s experience to the new employer. A BWC auditor inspects the former employer’s payroll records to allocate payroll to be transferred. In addition, the auditor verifies the payroll and claims to be transferred to the successor for rate calculations.

1A. BWC will give the same consideration to the claim as is given to all claims. If the claim is allowed and benefits are subsequently paid, the employer will be responsible to reimburse BWC dollar for dollar for the costs of the claim.

2A. A managed care organization (MCO) is a private company that an employer contracts to medically manage the workers compensation claims for injured employees. MCOs are an integral part of the Health Partnership Program.
Click here to learn more about Employers and the Health Partnership Program (HPP)

3A. Yes. Employers are required to select an MCO. Employers who do not select may have an MCO randomly assigned to them.

4A. Advise the employee to seek medical attention. Contact your MCO to report the injury. If you would like to file your employee's claim with BWC directly, click File a Claim online

5A. Benefit type indicates the type of claim. Benefit types can be one of the following:

• Medical-Only (MO) - a claim filed when seven or fewer calendar days are lost from the job due to an industrial injury or occupational disease;
• Lost-Time (LT) - a claim filed when eight or more calendar days are lost from the job due to an industrial injury or occupational disease; the days need not be consecutive;
• Rehab medical-only (RM) - a claim filed because of an injury while participating in a BWC approved rehabilitation program when seven or fewer calendar days are lost from the job due to that rehabilitation injury;
• Rehab lost-time (RL) - a claim filed because of an injury while participating in a BWC approved rehabilitation program when eight or more calendar days are lost from the job due to that rehabiliation injury;

6A. Employers, their designees, and their representatives will be able to enter a social security number and view the claims that are associated with that number. However, they will be limited to viewing only the claims that are associated with their policy number.

7A. The claim number, injured worker name, claim status, benefit type, employer policy number, employer name, MCO, and date of injury are all displayed. A user can link to additional information specific to a particular claim from the window.

8A. Yes, employers can access a list of all of the claims associated with their policy number. They will be able to sort the list according to date of injury, claim status, and benefit type.

9A. Yes, employers, their representatives and their designees can certify or reject claims in a new, pending or allowed appeal status online.
Click here to link to claim certification

10A. By certifying a claim the employer is stating that they are in agreement that the facts reported are correct and valid to the best of their knowledge.

11A. Certification does not mean that BWC will grant the allowance of a claim, just as rejection does not mean that BWC will deny a claim. BWC will conduct an investigation and determine whether the claim should be allowed or denied, regardless of the employer certification

12A. Certification can expedite the payment of lost wages for the injured worker off work due to a work related injury or illness. If the employer certifies the claim, payment of lost wages may be made immediately upon issuance of the BWC Claim Allowance Order. Without the employer certification, payment will be held for an appeal period.

13A. If an employer does not agree with the allowance of a claim they should check off the box marked "rejection." They should also include a short explanation as to why they are not in agreement with the allowance of the claim.

14A. The fund type displays where the payments issued in a claim come from. Fund types are as follows:

• OSIF - State Fund;
• PE - Public Employer;
• SI - Self-Insured;
• BL - Black Lung;
• MF - Marine Fund;
• APP - Apprentice;
• CD - Civil Defense;
• CDF - Contract Coverage;
• ONG - Ohio National Guard;
• PWRE - Public Worker Relief Employee;

15A. Coverage type indicates the status of employer's policy at the time that the claim was filed. Coverage types are as follows:

• Covered - policy that had coverage at the time of injury as a result of timely payment of premiums.
• No coverage - Period of no coverage when an employer fails to pay premiums timely;
• No record - BWC shows there was no record of coverage for this employer;
• Bankrupt - An account status showing that the employer's business is bankrupt;

16A. From the BWC home page, click on Your claim, View notes, Sign on, Enter claim number, View notes information. Injured workers, Employers, authorized representatives, online designees and managed care organizations (MCOs) have to be associated with the claim.

17A. Providers cannot view correspondence or notes on any claim, but they can view exam information on any claim.

18A. Check to make sure BWC has your correct mailing address.

1A. Quick Pay offers employers the option of paying their initial security deposit and subsequent premiums online by using a credit card. BWC accepts VISA, MasterCard, or American Express.

2A. When using Quick Pay to apply for coverage online, the minimum payment amount is $50 for state-fund employers and $100 for public employers. The maximum is $1,000.
For Accounts Receivable Balance History, there is no minimum or maximum payment amount.

When using Quick Pay for Payroll/Paid compensation, the minimum payment is $50. There is no maximum.
For the Flexible payment plan, there is no minimum or maximum.

3A. Multiple cards may be used if there is not enough available credit to pay the entire premium using one card.

4A. Employers using Quick Pay are required to input their credit card type, number and expiration date. They also must input the amount to be paid, their name as it appears on the credit card and the billing address.

5A. All of the credit card information that is entered is encrypted to ensure that financial information remains secure.

6A. Credit card payments made online before 11 a.m. will be posted to your account within one business day. Payments made after 11 a.m. will be posted to your account within two business days.

7A. No, employers do not have to pay the entire amount if they use Quick Pay. They can pay a portion of the amount due and send in the remainder of the premium with a check and a copy of the DP-21 to BWC. Employers must send the remaining balance to BWC by the established deadlines, Feb. 28 and Aug. 31 to avoid a lapse in coverage and penalties.

8A. Private and public state fund employers can report their payroll online. Once the payroll report is completed, employers can pay their premium online using Quick Pay.

9A. Yes, employers can view the costs associated with individual claims. They are broken down into medical, indemnity, and reserve costs. Each of these is further broken down into risk and surplus costs. The subrogation amount and handicapped percentage are also listed. In addition, the claim present value and total unlimited charges are also displayed.

10A. Account balances and balance detail is available through Accounts Receivable Balance Information.

11A. Payment transactions can be viewed through Accounts Receivable Transaction History.

12A. Account balances and balance detail is available through Accounts Receivable Balance Detail.

13A. Past payroll reports can be viewed in Accounts Receivable Transaction History then select Payroll or you can view specific payroll periods in Payroll Period Transaction History.

14A. View your security deposit paid and billed through Accounts Receivable Balance Information. Detail of security deposit can be viewed in Accounts Receivable Transaction History then select Security Deposit.

15A. The initial deposit ranges from $10.00 to $1,000.00, depending on the estimated payroll entered on the Application For Coverage. An annual evaluation is conducted based on the prior year's actual payroll. An adjustment is then completed to reduce or increase the required deposit (not to exceed the minimum $10.00 or maximum $1,000.00).

15A. Refund transactions can be viewed through Accounts Receivable Transaction History

16A. An injury occurred during a period when you did not have active coverage with BWC.

17A. Any unpaid balance older than sixty days that has been certified to the Ohio Attorney General's office for collection.

18A. Claims transactions can be viewed through Accounts Receivable Transaction History by transaction type.

19A. You should contact your credit card company for information about why your card was declined. You can mail your payment to BWC, make the payment at your local customer service office or try again to pay online.

20A. Yes.

1A. MIRA is an individual case reserving system used for workers' compensation claims. It is currently the primary workers' compensation reserving system in over 70 companies. It is used by four of the five largest workers' compensation insurer writers in the United States.

2A. A reserve is the estimated future cost of a claim at a point in time.

3A. Our current reserving system has been in place for 20 years and needs to be improved. MIRA is recognized as the most accurate, fully-developed reserving system available in the U.S. This change is another step in providing you a better workers' compensation system.

4A. BWC's tabular reserving system uses only 15 claim characteristics and calculates an average reserve for claims with the same indemnity type. The MIRA system uses 160 data elements of which 20 are considered cost drivers, which will provide a more precise estimate of future costs.

5A. On an aggregate basis, BWC will collect the same amount of premium. The effects of MIRA on individual employers will depend on their individual loss histories.

6A. BWC will implement MIRA on July 1, 2002, for private employers and Jan. 1, 2003, for public employer taxing districts. Private employers can get a preview of the new MIRA reserves for their claims in the Claim Costs service offering. For more information, call BWC's actuarial department at (614) 752-8318.

1A. Workers' compensation rates are based on the industrial pursuit of the employer. The gross wages of the employees being insured are multiplied by the rate to calculate the premium to be paid.

2A. Premiums are due every six months. The payroll report for the first 6 months of the year is sent to the employer in July. The payroll report and premium payment are due August 31.
The payroll report for the second 6 months of the year is sent to the employer in January of the following year. This payroll report and premium payment are due February 28 (or 29).

3A. BWC holds the deposit on account for as long as the employer has coverage. When the employer notifies BWC to cancel the policy, the deposit is returned to the employer less any monies due BWC at the time of cancellation.
The premium payment sent in with the payroll report provides coverage for the time period specified on the certificate of premium payment and is used by BWC to pay benefits.

4A. No. BWC will not apply the employer’s deposit to premiums due to keep the employers account active. If an employer notifies BWC of their desire to cancel coverage, premiums due at that time will be deducted from the deposit prior to any refund being made.

5A. No. BWC will calculate the balance of the premium security deposit based on information supplied on the coverage application. This balance will then be billed.

6A. The certificate is mailed to the employer approximately 10 days after the premium payment is received. Employers can also access the Certificate of coverage reprint to see if the most current Certificate of Premium Payment is available to print online.

7A. The certificate covers 8 months. This includes the next 6-month reporting period and a 2-month grace period for filing.

8A. If the premium is not received by the due date, the policy will automatically lapse. A lapse notice will be sent out. If the employer does not respond, BWC will estimate the balance due, assess penalties and bill the employer.

9A. If an indication is made on the coverage application that the employer has hired employees prior to applying for coverage, a payroll report will be generated. The employer is required to pay premiums on this period.

10A. The payroll report sent to the employer identifies the to and from dates of the 6 month period to be reported. The payroll report also advises the employer what is considered reportable payroll.
Click here to view a list of reportable payroll

11A. Contact BWC. We will verify your premium payment dates and either mail or fax your certificate to you.

12A. Yes. Payroll for corporate officers, except for individuals incorporated as a corporation or family farm corporate officers, who do not elect coverage, is to be reported up to the maximum required payroll.
Minimum/Maximum payroll reporting requirements

13A. An employer can apply for a premium payment plan by submitting the completed payroll report, a money order or cashier’s check for at least 25 percent of the amount due, a recent financial statement or income tax return, and a letter explaining the need for the plan. Also include the name and daytime phone number of a contact person.
If BWC approves a premium payment plan, the payment schedule will include interest. The premium payment plan option requires that a lien be set against your property to secure an interest in the debt on behalf of BWC. Participation in a premium payment plan may adversely affect future acceptance into any of BWC's alternative rating plans. Group rating plans require that all outstanding balances be paid in full by the group application deadline date. Mail your request to apply for a premium payment plan to:
Payment Plan Request
P.O. Box 15875
Columbus, Ohio 43215-0875

14A. Yes. If your account is active you may contact BWC to request a refund of your credit amount.

15A. It is not advisable for an employer to deduct a credit from the payroll premiums that are due. The employer should pay the actual premium due and request BWC to refund any credit

16A. This information is available through BWC's automated voice response line. Call 1-800-OHIOBWC, and follow the options. Or, you may contact BWC and speak with an employer services customer representative.

17A. Contact BWC for policy/account specific inquiries.

18A. Employers should contact BWC if they need to add or change a manual number when reporting payroll.

19A. No. Employers will still have the ability to complete the payroll report (DP-21) manually and mail it to BWC along with a check for the amount that is due.

20A.Yes.

21A. Yes, if you have not finalized/submitted your FlexPay plan before the end of the first week of June or December. This is when we gather data for payroll reports. Your hard-copy payroll report will note that you are in FlexPay.

22A. This could be due to various reasons. Please contact BWC to learn more.

23A. Yes. If you haven’t finalized your FlexPay plan, re-access the service offering, select the month in which you made the error and enter the correct payroll. If you finalized your FlexPay plan, you will have to submit the correction manually via mail or fax

24A. No, only four types of employers will be able to obtain a certificate of coverage online. Those employers are those with active, reinstated, debtor in possession (DIP) or those that are newly lapsed (less than one payroll period). A certificate can only be obtained if the entire premium is paid via Quick Pay.
Once a Certificate of Premium Payment has been issued, private employers can reprint the most current one as long as the policy coverage status is active, reinstated or DIP.

Certificate of coverage reprint

25A. Employers can report payroll online without using Quick Pay. However, the employer should make sure to attach a copy of the payroll report (DP-21 form) with the check when they submit it to BWC. If an employer mails in a check for payment without the payroll report attached, the money may be applied toward any outstanding balances that the employer has with BWC.

26A. No, once a payroll report has been submitted to BWC online, the employer will not be able to make any changes. If an employer wants to make changes they should contact BWC.

27A. When completing the payroll report online the amount of payroll for each manual classification should be entered. BWC will automatically calculate the premiums due using both BWC and NCCI rates (where applicable), select the lower amount as the amount due, and display the amount that is due to BWC.

28A. NCCI classifications represent a more equitable premium rate structure than the BWC system. Also, the NCCI system is a more accurate and understandable classification system, which will allow employers to better classify the functions of their businesses.

1A. Professional employer organization means a sole proprietor, partnership, association, limited liability company or corporation that enters into an agreement with one or more client employers for the purpose of co-employing all or part of the client employer's work force at the client employer's work site. A PEO usually provides an integrated and cost-effective approach to the management and administration of the human resources and employer risk of its clients.
Note:A temporary employment agency is not a PEO.

2A.  Ohio Administrative Code 4123-17-15 is the rule, and Ohio Revised Code 4125 is the statute that governs the PEO industry in the state of Ohio.

3A. Yes. A PEO is required to register with us no later than 30 days after the effective date of the formation of the PEO. PEOs should use the Professional Employer Organization Registration Application (UA-1) PEOs also must submit the UA-1 by Dec. 31 annually to renew their PEO certification status. To request a registration application, UA-1, contact BWC's PEO unit at (614) 466-6773.

4A. Yes. PEOs are required to submit securitization and must identify the type of securitization provided to BWC on their registration form. PEOs have several forms of securitization to chose from including: a bond or Letter of Credit; Certification from a BWC-approved institution; or the BWC online monthly payment method. BWC will calculate the amount of securitization required for each PEO policy per calendar year based on the most recent two periods of premium paid by the PEO policy.

5A. PEOs, currently granted the privilege of self-insurance by the BWC administrator, are not required to provide a form of securitization for the PEO registration and certification process. The securitization provided to BWC when granted the privilege of self-insurance will be used to meet the PEO securitization requirement. If the self-insuring PEO loses that privilege and/or decides to return to the state fund, the PEO must provide the appropriate form of securitization based on the state-fund policy.

6A. Yes. BWC has the right to deny or revoke the registration of any PEO who fails to comply with requirements pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 4125-17-15 and/or Ohio Revised Code 4125. If the BWC administrator revokes PEO status, the PEO is not permitted to enter into any contracts to co-employ a work force in Ohio.

7A. The PEO uses Professional Employer Organization Client Relationship Notification (UA-3) to provide BWC with the PEO and the client, the type of client contract and the effective date of the contract. BWC sends all PEOs an initial copy of the UA-3 and allows them to make as many copies as they need. PEOs use the Labor Lease Transaction - Payroll (AC-18) and Labor Lease Transaction - Claims (AC-19) to submit documentation to terminate a PEO agreement. These forms reflect the payroll and claims reported under the PEO policy on behalf of the client employer that will be transferred back to the client policy.

8A. The electronic payroll and claim data assist BWC in processing transfers of experience from PEO accounts to client accounts and should over time eliminate the need for the PEO AC-18. The electronic payroll and claim reports also assist BWC in reviewing and verifying the accuracy of the payroll reported under the PEO on behalf of the client employer.

9A. In a part-lease situation, splitting of manual classifications, departments, divisions or operations between the PEO and the client may not be done in situations, such as, but not limited to: union vs. non-union employees; hourly vs. salaried employees; or part-time vs. full-time employees. PEOs should forward such requests to BWC's PEO unit for approval.

10A. Yes. PEOs are required to maintain complete records, separately listing the payrolls and claims of its client employers for each payroll reporting period. The payroll should be kept in a manner that clearly identifies the appropriate manual classifications assigned to each client employer to which the payroll should be reported and the amount of premiums paid. Claims should be separately identified according to the client employers. PEOs are obligated to maintain these records and must report them to BWC on a biannual basis.

11A. Yes. PEOs may obtain payroll and claims data on a potential client employer not in a PEO arrangement by submitting a Temporary Authorization to Review Information (AC-3) for the potential client employer. PEOs may obtain payroll and claims data on a potential client employer in a PEO arrangement, when the potential client employer’s payroll and claims are reported to the client policy number, by submitting an AC-3 signed by the client employer. BWC will not release any claims or payroll information on a client employer that is in a partial or full PEO arrangement when any payroll and claims are reported to the PEO’s policy number.

12A. Per the Ohio Revised Code workers’ compensation coverage is required once an employer has an employee within the state of Ohio. When a PEO enters into an agreement with a client, in which the PEO will report the payroll and claims under its policy, coverage is required. The contractual liability essentially makes those individuals the PEO’s employees. This active coverage also allows BWC to move the client’s payroll/claims history to the PEO’s policy to calculate an accurate rate for the employees’ exposures. PEOs are required to follow the same guidelines as any employer in the state of Ohio when they have contracted to take over the employees of their clients.

13A. You should contact BWC's PEO unit at (614) 466-6773.

14A. This Web site will provide a list of the PEOs and their registration and certification status.

15A. Yes. A PEO can participate in alternative rating programs however, they are subject to meeting the applicable underwriting criteria for those particular programs.

16A. Yes. An employer must maintain an active workers' compensation policy with BWC to enable BWC to establish a relationship between the PEO and the client employer. It also is necessary in order for BWC to migrate the appropriate payroll and claims experience back to the client employer upon termination of the PEO/client relationship.

17A. No. BWC will not recognize a PEO agreement between a PEO and an out-of-state client employer where the employees of the out-of-state client employer do not meet the jurisdictional requirements to receive Ohio workers’ compensation benefits as provided in Ohio Revised Code section 4123.54.

18A. An employer who becomes a client of a PEO with all payroll and claims for that client reported under the PEO's policy, the MCO of the client will be changed to the MCO of the PEO. An employer who becomes a client of a PEO but continues to report payroll and claims under its own policy will continue to use the MCO assigned to its policy. In a partial relationship where the PEO only takes on a portion of the client's employees, the client will continue to use the MCO assigned to its policy for the employees it retains, and the PEO’s MCO will manage the claims for the employees reported to the PEO’s policy.

19A. PEOs are required to notify BWC in writing within 30 days of all new PEO agreements or changes in payroll reporting.

20A. PEOs are required to notify BWC in writing within 14 days of all terminated PEO agreements or changes in payroll reporting.

21A. The client is responsible for reporting any payroll or claims under its own policy number up until the effective date of the PEO agreement. If an agreement is terminated in the middle of a payroll reporting period, the client is responsible for reporting payroll and claims under its own policy number from the effective date of the agreement termination forward.

22A. No. Ohio is a monopolistic state concerning workers’ compensation coverage. PEOs are required to follow the same guidelines as any employer in the state of Ohio when they have contracted to take over the employees of their clients. Per the Ohio Revised Code any employer that has one or more employees in the state of Ohio must cover them with the BWC.

23A. The employer (PEO or client) listed as the employer of record for the claim will have authorization to approve the claim settlement.

24A. Yes. BWC will treat the employer assuming the human resource functions and/or work force (operations) from another entity as a PEO and will follow the successorship rules pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 4123-17-02 to transfer the appropriate experience to the PEO policy.

25A. Depending on the type of PEO agreement, the client employer is transferring (or outsourcing) all or part of its workers’ compensation liability and experience, not to mention the function of managing the workers’ compensation responsibilities, to the PEO. The PEO ensures that all aspects of the client employer's workers’ compensation policy is maintained. The PEO assumes the responsibility of reporting payroll and premium for the shared employees in addition to handling claim management responsibilities.

26A. BWC follows Ohio Administrative Code 4123-17-02 when calculating the premium rate for the PEO. The process involves transferring the experience of each client employer of the PEO to the PEO policy to create a combined experience modifier. The PEO will use this rate to pay premiums for shared employees, in addition to the PEOs administrative staff. Any PEO agreement where the PEO elects to report premium under the client policy will not have any experience transferred to the PEO policy. The PEO will report this premium using the individual client employer's calculated experience modifier. Note: The PEO must report shared employees payroll and pay premiums using the manual classifications assigned by BWC to the client employer's policy.

1A. To see if Retrospective Rating could lower your rates, you can use Personalized Policy Scenarios to view possible savings.

2A. Retrospective Rating is a plan that allows you to pay down premiums in return for assuming more risk. Click here to learn about Retrospective Rates.

3A. Group rating is a discount rating program that allows industry similar employers to group together and pay their workers compensation premiums as though they were one big company. For more information on group rating, click below.
Group Rating Program Description

4A. Group rates may go up or down based upon the combined total experience of the employers in your particular group.

5A. BWC employees cannot recommend one group over another to employers. Please contact the third-party administrator (TPA) associated with the group.

6A. The TPAs determine the group descriptions, and BWC displays them exactly as they are entered into our computer systems. If you need more explanation of a particular group description, call 1-800-OHIOBWC.

7A. We make our decision based on the highest premium assessed per manual classification. You'll see all groups in that industry.

1A. Self-insured employers can report their paid compensation online. The SI-40 form is now available for online completion.

2A. Self-insured employers can still complete the SI-40 form manually and mail it to BWC if they choose not to report paid compensation online.

3A. Paid compensation can be viewed in Paid Compensation History.

4A. Financial transactions with BWC can be viewed through Accounts Receivable Transaction History.

5A. To qualify for self-insured status, an employer must meet several requirements. These include:

• A minimum of 500 employees with the state of Ohio
• Two years experience with the state insurance fund
• The ability to demonstrate strong financial stability
• An account with a financial institution in Ohio
• OR draw compensation checks from the same account as the payroll checks
• A BWC certified Qualified Health Plan (QHP)

For more information regarding self-insurance, click here.

A. BWC uses past information since it is exact. Estimated information may change and not give accurate results.

1A. The discount may exceed the maximum allowed. If you are in a group, you can earn premium discounts for participating in group rating and the Drug-Free Workplace Program. However, the combined discount amount cannot exceed the maximum allowed under the group rating plan.

2A. You can learn more about the DFWP and enroll in the program online. You can link to DFWP information directly from this PPS scenario.

1A. Yes. Please call 1-800-OHIOBWC, and follow the options for the business consultant in your area.

2A. If you have had high claims costs for a few years but have implemented changes that will result in fewer claims and lower claims costs in future years, you may be a good candidate. Also, larger companies that have few claims and high individual credibility but are unable to participate in group rating may participate to realize lower rates. Although the requirement for retrospective rating is $25,000 in experience premium, you can realize even greater benefits if your premium is more than that.

3A. No. You must re-enroll each year, and BWC will base your participation on an annual evaluation of your account. However, you are responsible for the claims costs for the year of participation for a 10-year period.

1A. Elective coverage is for the owner, partner, etc. of a company. This type of coverage is a voluntary additional coverage, but your policy is required to cover your employees.

2A.  Click here to view the minimum and maximum payroll reporting requirements.

1A. You can call 1-800-OHIOBWC, and follow the options or your local BWC customer service office and ask to speak to your employer services specialist. He or she can assist you in running the scenarios, understanding how your rates are derived and the basics of claims costs management.

2A. Call 1-800-OHIOBWC, and follow the options to speak with your employer services specialist.

3A. This could be due to many reasons. For example, there may still be a maximum value for the claim, and a settlement above that amount will not have an effect.

4A. The handicap reimbursements vary by the claim. BWC determines the actual amount of the reimbursement after we receive your request and review the claim.

1A. Double check your policy number. You must be in an active, reinstated, or debtor in possession (DIP) status to view this screen.

2A. Call 1-800-OHIOBWC and follow the options to speak with someone from the Division of Safety & Hygiene.

3A. Please call 1-800-OHIOBWC, and follow the options and someone will walk you through it.

1A. This is a program that was developed to assist experience-rated employers establish a safer, more cost-effective workplace. By implementing a workplace safety program and meeting certain performance criteria, experience-rated employers can receive a discount on the premiums paid for their workers compensation coverage.
Click here to learn more about the Premium Discount Program Plus

2A. Participants can receive up to 10% off their premium during their first two years in PDP Plus and up to 5% off their third.

3A. PDP Plus participants must implement BWC's 10-step Business Plan and have reductions in claims frequency (lost time or medical Only), claims severity or claims cost.

4A. The 10 steps are 10 management areas identified to control costs of existing claims or prevent claims from occurring.

5A. BWC Employer Services Specialists provide guidance on the specifics of 10-step implementation. Safety consultants are available from BWC's Division of Safety & Hygiene for technical questions.

6A. BWC provides an introductory seminar, Controlling Workers' Compensation costs, to help you get started. Employers must complete a Plan of Action detailing how the 10-Steps will be implemented and provide supporting documentation no later than nine months after starting the program.

7A. Since premium is paid in arrears in Ohio, employers starting effective January 1 receive their first discount on their summer premium payment. Employers beginning effective July 1 receive their first discount on their winter premium payment.

8A. Senior Management must communicate and demonstrate a commitment to safety by providing employee support for safety training, safety committees, safety audits, etc.

9A. Participation is limited to three years from inception date into the program.

10A. Employers may apply anytime. Official starting dates are based on when the application is received by BWC, where participation begins on the first day of the next six month bi-annual period, i.e. January 1 or
July 1.

11A. Click here to go to the PDP Plus application.

12A. The Drug-Free Workplace Program (DFWP) is an incentive program designed to help employers establish a safer and more cost-effective workplace. The program allows for discounts in the premium for implementation of the plan. Click here to learn more about the Drug-Free Workplace Program.

13A. Participants can receive up to 10% of their premium at Level 1, 15% at Level 2, or 20% at Level 3 participation.

14A. Yes and no. This depends on the programs.

Eligible employers may participate in group rating and the Drug-Free Workplace Program (DFWP), and receive both benefits UNLESS their group is already receiving a 93-percent credit (through June 30, 2007) or a 90-percent credit for the July 1, 2007, rating year. In this case, the employer will not receive an additional DFWP discount but may be eligible for DFWP-related safety grant funds.

Employers who are eligible for Premium Discount Program (PDP Plus) may also participate in DFWP and receive both benefits. Participating employers who meet specified claims frequency and/or claims severity improvement objectives may receive a bonus of up to 20 percent.

Employers may NOT participate in both group rating and PDP Plus, or in retrospective rating and PDP Plus.

Employers may participate in both DFWP and retrospective rating but may receive only the greater of the two benefits. This would typically be the retrospective rating benefit. However, employers who also implement a DFWP may apply for safety grant funds.