New BWC website now live

We are excited to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website. The new bwc.ohio.gov is live and it was built with you in mind!

Our goal when making these major changes was to provide you with more relevant, easy to navigate content. The new homepage enables you to find the most-requested information up front, as well as easy pathways based on our main users, including workers, employers and providers. Regardless of which page you're on, you'll always link to the most requested services, commonly-asked questions, featured resources, news and events.

Another positive change aligns with our inclusion and diversity efforts. Our new site will meet suggested guidelines for accessibility. Examples include color schemes that improve readability and fewer .pdfs, which interfere with software for the visually impaired. We're also taking the big step of making all our pages available in Spanish.

Remember, while the new site looks different, you can still sign in and conduct business with us just as you did before. Just make sure to check your bookmarks, as some information has moved.

Check out this short video for an overview of the new navigation.

Reminder: MCO open enrollment continues through May 25

The open enrollment period for employers to select a managed care organization (MCO) to oversee medical treatment for workers injured on the job will end at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 25.

BWC offers open enrollment every two years for employers to select from a network of 13 MCOs that manage claim filing and medical care injured workers need to recover and return to work.

No action is required of employers satisfied with their MCO. Those considering a change can complete the MCO Selection Form or download and print a blank form.

Open enrollment details are available in the MCO Selection Guide at bwc.ohio.gov. You will also find the MCO Report Card, an objective source of information that summarizes each MCO’s performance in several categories, including quality of medical management, return-to-work strategies and timeliness of service.

MCO changes will be effective July 2.

Rebate vote next week  

BWC’s Board of Directors will vote on the proposed $1.5 billion rebate during their upcoming meeting Thursday, May 24.

Haven’t heard about the proposal? Catch up on all the details here.

State Fund employers: If approved, you’ll want to make sure you’re eligible to receive your share by paying any lapsed premium amounts and completing any outstanding true-up before June 8, 2018. Please also review your demographic information to ensure we send your rebate check to the correct address.

Safety Councils recognized for leadership in promoting workplace safety

BWC Chief of Medical Operations John Annarino, left, presented the Stark County Safety Council with the Safety Council of the Year Award.

More than 80 safety councils across the state serve as partners in BWC’s efforts to educate employers and workers about the importance of workplace safety.

We at BWC value their work to keep Ohio workers safe and each year recognize a select group of councils for outstanding accomplishment above and beyond the program requirements.

Congratulations to the 2017 Safety Council of the Year award recipients!

• First place: Stark County Safety Council
• Second place: Mid-Ohio Valley Safety Council
• Third place: Salem Area Safety Council
• Fourth place: Sandusky County Safety Council

Honorable mentions also went to the Summit County Safety Council, Ashtabula County Safety Council, Union County Safety Council and the Ottawa County Safety Council.

Visit bwc.ohio.gov for more information about the Safety Council Program.

BWC eBriefs

BWC in the News

BWC’s network of safety councils across the state are taking time this spring to recognize their employer members for excellence in workplace safety. BWC Safety Council Manager Michelle Francisco discusses the importance of workplace safety and why you should consider joining a safety council in this Youngstown Business Journal video.

Better You, Better Ohio!

Do you know your workers may be eligible for help improving their health by tracking their diet, quitting smoking, getting in shape and managing chronic diseases – all at no cost?

BWC’s Better You, Better Ohio! program targets workers at small Ohio employers (50 or fewer workers) in industries that experience higher injury rates on average than others.

Visit bwc.ohio.gov for more on this exciting new program.

Employer webinar May 24

Join us Thursday, May 24, at 11:30 a.m. for the next employer webinar. In 20 minutes, we'll cover information about estimated annual premium notices, rating, Destination: Excellence programs, Better You, Better Ohio! and our monthly safety tip. 

Register here to view the webinar from the comfort of your office or here to visit your local claims office and view the webinar with BWC staff.

From the BWC Blog

Eight-hundred forty-nine: That’s the number of workers in the U.S. who didn’t make it home in 2016 because they died from a fall at work. That’s why BWC took part in several events last week during the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls. Read more in our recent blog, Doing our part to prevent falls.

The costs of workplace injuries are about more than dollars and cents. BWC Technical Medical Specialist Mark Leung explains in his blog, Beyond the costs of an injury.

OSC19 call for presentations

Do you have knowledge or experience that can help prevent workplace injuries? If so, please consider sharing your expertise as a presenter at BWC’s Ohio Safety Congress & Expo 2019, the region’s largest occupational-focused safety and health event. We’re now accepting presentation proposals for this multi-day event, scheduled for March 6-8, 2019, in Columbus.

We’re accepting applications until July 13. For application guidelines and to register, visit our call for presentations site.

Safety Update

Drowsy driving crashes, opioid deaths, chemical hearing loss. Those are just a few of the occupational health and safety topics you’re missing if you haven’t read the May Safety Update.