Ohio Approves New Workers’ Compensation Deductible Program
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has created a new deductible program, the first-ever for BWC, it says will give employers better control of their workers’ compensation insurance spending and provide an incentive to promote workplace safety programs and services.
The program will offer five deductible levels from $500 up to $10,000 per claim, and additional deductible levels and structures will be considered in future years. The deductible program will be available to employers beginning July 1, 2009.
“This is the first time Ohio employers will have the option to enroll in a true deductible program,” said BWC Administrator Marsha Ryan. “This new program offers multiple deductible levels, giving Ohio employers a choice in securing the option that best suits their business needs.”
The BWC board also approved rule changes that will give BWC more authority to ensure sponsoring associations comply with the statutes and rules governing the group rating program. The changes include: requiring greater disclosure from group sponsors; mandating that all sponsors reapply for certification before becoming eligible to sponsor groups for group retrospective rating beginning July 1, 2009 and/or group rating beginning July 1, 2010; and instituting a re-certification process to ensure all group sponsors are evaluated by BWC on a regular basis.
Source: Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
www.bwc.state.oh.us