Coverage history review and update
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Ohio law requires employers who operate within the state
to provide workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. Workers'
compensation coverage begins on the day and time BWC receives a completed
application for coverage
and an initial $10 security deposit from an employer.
Once we process the application, we issue to employers a Certificate of Premium
Payment from the effective date of coverage through the end of the billing period,
at which time the semiannual payroll report and premium are due. (Payroll reports
with an end date of Dec. 31 are due the last day of February of the following year,
and payroll reports with an end date of June 30 are due the last day of August.)
Along with the certificate, the employer will also receive the New Employer Kit,
which is also available online. We will send an invoice noting the difference between
the initial deposit and the additional deposit owed under a separate cover letter.
New Employer Kit
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We may require some employers to pay an additional security deposit
based on the estimated payroll in the application. BWC will bill the employer the
balance of the security deposit.
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Coverage is continuous and remains in effect as long as the employer
files payroll reports and pays premium in a timely manner. If an employer fails to pay
premium timely, coverage lapses. To cancel coverage, an employer
must make a request with BWC, file a final payroll report and pay any premium or other
assessments due.
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State-fund private employers
Payroll reports are due to BWC, not postmarked, on or before Aug. 31 for the reporting
period Jan. 1 to June 30. For the reporting period July 1 to Dec. 31, payroll reports
are due to BWC Feb. 28 (Feb. 29 during leap year).
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Public employers
Payroll reports for the previous calendar year and 45 percent of the premium are due to
BWC on May 15. The remaining balance is due Sept. 30.
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Lapsed coverage
If we do not receive a payroll report and premium payment by the filing deadline,
we change the status of your policy from active to lapsed. When your account lapses,
we send you a letter, informing you of the no-coverage status. Also,
we bill your account for an estimated premium amount based on your past
payroll reports. If you do not bring your account up to date and pay the premium,
we send it to the Ohio Attorney General's Office. This can result in liens against
your property.
Note: BWC does not automatically send a payroll report to lapsed accounts.
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We continue to process claims filed under this lapsed period
as usual and pay benefits without interruption or inconvenience to the injured workers.
And we charge the medical and indemnity costs for these non-compliance claims
directly to you.
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Reinstatement of a lapsed account
We extend workers’ compensation coverage in advance based upon payroll for the
reporting period and premium collected. To reinstate a lapsed account, We must receive all missing
payroll reports and outstanding premium. Also, you can pay any fines assessed for late
filing and for late payment at that time, for which we bill you. Once you pay your
past premiums, we change your coverage status from lapsed to reinstated. And we
continue to process claims filed under this lapsed period and bill the costs of these
non-compliance claims directly to you.
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If you have lapsed coverage for one payroll period, you can
file that report and pay premium with an electronic withdrawal from a checking or savings
account, or a credit card online. Then, you can download and print a Certificate
of Premium Payment.
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If you have lapsed coverage for more than one period, you cannot
access all payroll reports for that time online. We must create those payroll reports
not available online. In addition, you will not have access to a Certificate of Premium
Payment for the time of lapsed coverage. We will mail that to you once we receive all
missing payroll reports. If you need further clarification, call 1-800-OHIOBWC,
and listen to the options.
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View coverage status
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Request to cancel coverage
An employer can request to cancel coverage online or by completing the
Notification of Policy Update (U-117). Consider the following before
making your request:
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If your request to cancel pertains only to the elective coverage
for a sole proprietor/partner, individual incorporated as a corporation
(with no employees), ordained or associate ministers or officers of a
family farm corporation and not the entire policy, you should access
Elective coverage;
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If you will continue to have employees working for you, including casual labor
or part-time help, you should not cancel your coverage;
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If you lease your employees from a professional employer organization
(PEO), you should not cancel your coverage. As a client in a PEO agreement,
you must maintain active workers’ compensation coverage;
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If the policy name and/or entity type has changed and your company's
ownership remains the same, you should not cancel coverage.
Complete and submit the U-117;
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To finalize a request for cancellation, you must report payroll through
the date of cancellation. You can
report payroll and pay premium online. If you prefer, we can mail
you a paper payroll report to fill out and mail back.
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Canceling a lapsed account
If your coverage has lapsed, you will need to bring the account up to date
by filing any missing payroll reports and paying premium payments or other
assessments. Canceling your account does not relinquish you from any
outstanding balances due. To request payroll reports or ask questions,
call 1-800-OHIOBWC and listen to the options.
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