Important Reminder: Group Rating Enrollment Forms Distributed; Qualifying Businesses Should Respond Quickly
Savings quotes and enrollment packets for CareWorks Consultants Workers’ Compensation Group Rating Program have been sent to newly qualifying applicants. Qualifying companies should return the forms immediately to CareWorks Consultants to ensure enrollment in our 2012-2013 group rating program. Our deadline for receipt of enrollment forms is quickly approaching!
If your company has not requested a [...]
BWC Finalizes Alternative Rating Program Changes
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has approved a number of changes to its alternative rating programs. These changes are designed to encourage meaningful behaviors by employers. Specific areas of focus are injury prevention, loss control and return-to-work efforts.
The first of these changes was announced when the BWC Board of Directors eliminated the Break [...]
Ohio BWC Board Approves Credibility Changes
The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board approved a maximum credibility of 53% for the July 2012 through June 2013 policy period. As a result, the maximum discount for Ohio’s group rating program will increase from 51% to 53% over this same policy period. In addition to changing the maximum discount, BWC’s Board eliminated the [...]
CareWorks Consultants Hosts Free Educational Webinars in December
CareWorks Consultants hosts FREE educational webinars in the month of December. These webinars will educate clients on ways to save on their premiums and other cost-saving programs.
Ohio Safety Congress & Expo Save the Date
Ohio BWC’s Division of Safety & Hygiene’s annual Safety Congress & Expo’s registration begins January 2012.
CareWorks Consultants’ Group Retrospective Rating Programs
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has just processed the first 12 month refund adjustment for CareWorks Consultants’ 2009 Group Retrospective Rating Program. For the 36 employers participating in this OH&LA Group Retro Program, the refund total is $569,568.12 which represents a 49.7% refund of the employers’ total paid standard premiums. We are pleased [...]
BWC’s New Grow Ohio Incentive Program
The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) recently introduced a new incentive program to attract new employers to Ohio at their August board meeting. This program is called “The Grow Ohio Incentive Program.”
This program will allow new Ohio employers to join a group rating program and immediately receive the maximum workers’ compensation premium discount (currently 51%) [...]
BWC Makes Changes to Manual Classification Codes
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has adopted several manual classification changes made effective July 1, 2011. The object of manual classification codes is to assign the code that best describes your business. Within the next few weeks BWC will send out letters to employers affected by these changes.
Some new classification [...]
Buehrer Announces Expansion of Safety Council Program
COLUMBUS – Stephen Buehrer, Administrator/CEO of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), has announced the continuation and expansion of the Safety Council Rebate Incentive Program, which allows employers to earn rebates on their workers’ compensation premiums for participating in their local safety council and reducing workplace injuries.
The incentive program, which was due to expire [...]
Recordkeeping & Data Analysis Key to Reducing Workplace Injuries & Workers’ Comp Costs
Many employers maintain OSHA 300 logs to comply with federal recordkeeping requirements, but effective recordkeeping goes beyond OSHA 300 log compliance. Additional documentation about each accident (including near misses) that occurs in your workplace can be an invaluable tool to identify safety and health process issues, manage the workers’ compensation claims process, and establish [...]
Employee Training – Foundation of Workplace Safety Programs
Occupational health and safety consultants often talk about the importance of senior management leadership and creating formal safety policies and procedures. However, once those tools are in place, it is critical that your company’s employees are educated on your safety philosophy and trained on the appropriate procedures to take to prevent workplace accidents.
Employee training [...]
Million-Dollar Question: How to Get Employees to Follow Safety Rules?
One of the most frustrating issues for employers when discussing workers’ compensation and workplace safety is the challenge of how to get employees to follow established safety rules. A common refrain heard from employers is “I can have the best safety program in the world, but if employees don’t follow the rules, then what [...]
Effective Accident Investigations Key to Injury Prevention Strategy
Whether you have a consistent number of small workers’ compensation claims or the occasional catastrophic injury, conducting a proper accident investigation is a key tool for employers to control their workers’ compensation expenses. An effective accident investigation can shed light on the root cause of an accident and provide ideas for corrective actions to [...]
Buehrer begins term as Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Administrator
Steve Buehrer was sworn in as Administrator/CEO of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) on January 10, 2011. He vowed to an audience of BWC staff, business leaders, labor representatives and representatives of Ohio’s workers’ compensation system that their input will be expected and important in making workers’ compensation a complement to Ohio’s [...]
OSHA Recordkeeping Forms Must Be Posted by February 1, 2011
The annual posting period for OSHA 300 logs is fast approaching. Employers who fall under the recordkeeping rules for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) must post their OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) beginning on February 1, 2011 and keep it posted through April 30, 2011. The summary [...]
Reminder: Group Rating Enrollment Forms Mailed; Qualifying Businesses Should Respond Quickly
Savings quotes and enrollment packets for CareWorks Consultants, Inc (CCI) Workers’ Compensation Group Rating Program have been sent to newly qualifying applicants.
Qualifying companies should return the forms immediately to CareWorks Consultants to ensure enrollment in our 2011-2012 group rating program. Our deadline for receipt of enrollment forms is February 23, 2011.
Enforcement Numbers Prove ‘New OSHA in Town’ Mantra
Over the last two years, leaders at the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) have claimed that “There’s a new OSHA in town” and that the agency planned on returning to its enforcement roots. Recent inspection and citation numbers seem to prove that point.
Workers’ Compensation Expense and Business Structure
The way an organization tracks and allocates expenses, such as workers’ compensation premiums, can have a significant impact on the bottom line. In our risk management consulting practice, we often come across clients who want to “get the attention” of a location manager who is having more injuries or lost time than other locations.
Workers’ Compensation Group Rating Programs Help Employers Save Significant Premium Dollars
Now is the time of year for you to begin planning for your workers’ compensation future. Many companies are probably sending you information about their programs. While they may be able to save you money in the short term, they often lack the quality comprehensive customer service and program stability that helps to [...]
Group Rating Safety Accountability
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is now requiring all Third Party Administrators (TPAs) and Group Sponsors to publish the Group-Rating Safety Accountability Letter that outlines the safety services expectations of BWC.
CareWorks Consultants, Inc. (CCI) recommends posting the letter on your website, inserting the letter in an association newsletter or directly mailing [...]
BWC Premium Rate Changes effective July 1, 2010
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors recently approved premium rate changes for private employers for the upcoming policy year beginning July 1, 2010. BWC indicated that this rate change will amount to a 3.9 percent overall decrease in collectible premium rates.
Safety Council Rebate Program deadline approaching
The deadline to participate in BWC’s Safety Council Rebate Program is approaching. State funded employers who wish to participate in the program must join a local safety council by July 31, 2010.
Suggestions for Hiring Safe Workers
Many employers fear hiring new employees that are “high risk” for on-the-job injuries, especially those who have sustained previous injuries on or off the job. Having a comprehensive hiring process that addresses worker safety can help to alleviate some of those fears. Appropriate questions on the job application, during the interview process and at the time of job offer can meet this goal.
Additional alternative discount programs
Over half of Ohio’s private employers will not be in a group rating program effective July 1, 2010. If you are one of these employers, you will have an array of alternative rating programs to consider. This article is the last part of a series designed to give an overview of these programs and help you decide which programs you should evaluate further.
New BWC Drug Free Safety Program
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors voted on March 26, 2010 to establish the new Drug-Free Safety Program (DFSP), which will be available to employers on July 1, 2010. Employers can receive a discount on their workers’ compensation premium in exchange for meeting the program requirements. This brand new program replaces the Drug-Free Workplace Program that has been available to employers since 1997. The new DFSP will be available to more employers and there will be no limit to the number of years an employer can participate. Participation in the old program will in no way prohibit participation in the new program.
Additional alternative discount programs
Over half of Ohio’s private employers will not be in a group rating program effective July 1, 2010. If you are one of these employers, you will have an array of alternative rating programs to consider. This article is the second part of a series designed to give an overview of these programs and help you decide which programs you should evaluate further.
Individual Paid Loss Retrospective Rating – Application deadline – June 1, 2010
Deductible Program – Application deadline – April 30, 2010
Enrollment Forms and Renewal Invoices Due to Join Group Rating Program
Savings quotes and enrollment packets from our workers’ compensation group rating partner, CareWorks Consultants Inc., (CCI) were recently sent to newly qualifying applicants. Qualifying companies should return these forms with payment immediately to CareWorks Consultants to ensure enrollment in their 2010-2011 group rating program. The deadline for receipt of enrollment forms is February 24, 2010.
Important BWC Board Decision
On Friday October 30, 2009, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors unanimously approved the 2010 rate plan for private employers. The plan follows BWC’s recommendation to both lower maximum credibility to 65 percent and apply a significant stratified surcharge (also referred to as “break-even factor” or “BEF”) to all group employers reducing the maximum discount to around 51 percent. Board members rationalized the decision to move forward with lowering the maximum discount and applying a surcharge by stating that employers will not have to pay these premiums until 2011, and BWC offers various payment plans to assist employers who will have difficulty paying their premium. Unfortunately, the Board’s decision means more than 70,000 employers will need to budget back-to-back premium increases for the 2010 and 2011 rating years.
Alternative discounts to consider when group rating isn’t an option
Over half of Ohio’s private employers will not be in a group rating program effective July 1, 2010. If you are one of these employers, you will have an array of alternative rating programs to consider. This article is part of a series designed to give an overview of these programs and help you decide which programs you should evaluate further.
Group Retrospective Rating Basics
For the first time, the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) has established rules allowing qualifying associations to sponsor group retrospective rating plans, otherwise known as group retro. The benefit to participants is a premium refund based on the overall performance of the group. Group retro is not right for every employer but there are a number of employers as well as certain industries that will benefit significantly from this rating option. This year employers were not provided a great amount of time to become familiar with this option because the BWC rules were established only a short time before the start of the 2009 policy year. This article will help executives and managers determine if their organization should continue to evaluate participation in a group retro plan.
Workers' Compensation Group Rating Saves Significant Premium Dollars
Now is the time of year for you to begin planning for your workers’ compensation future. Many companies are probably sending you information about their programs. While they may be able to save you money in the short term, they often lack the quality comprehensive customer service and program stability that helps to ensure continued long term group rating discounts. Through the Buckeye Workers’ Compensation Alliance, CareWorks Consultants Inc. (CCI) offers a level of service and satisfaction unmatched by any other third party administrator (TPA) in the industry.
Cut Out Cuts
Help your hands so they can help you
Your hands are exposed to injury perhaps more than any other part of your body simply because you use them so often. However, you can prevent hand injuries if you’re aware of the potential hazards and take the proper precautions.
Visit CCI’s New Website Today!
CareWorks Consultants Inc. (CCI) continues to distinguish itself in the marketplace. On Friday, June 19, 2009, we launched our new website. This exciting change is one of many upcoming enhancements promoting and establishing us as the leader in the workers’ compensation third party administrator (TPA) industry.
