Statutory Occupational Disease Claims
Beginning on May 17, 2021, statutory occupational disease (Stat OD) claim determinations are being handled by the Columbus office. Leading the team is Peggy Kirk, supervisor.
The following are considered statutory occupational diseases:
- Berylliosis.
- Silicosis.
- Coal miners’ pneumoconiosis.
- Asbestosis.
- Any other occupational disease of the respiratory tract resulting from injurious exposure to dust.
The disease Mesothelioma, which is from an exposure to asbestos, is also included in the list above and is being handled by the Columbus office.
Any cardiovascular, pulmonary, or respiratory disease of a firefighter or police officer caused or induced by the cumulative effect of exposure to heat, smoke, toxic gases, chemical fumes and other toxic substances is not affected by this change and will continue to be handled in the same manner.
Returning a Check (Warrant) to BWC
For the quickest turnaround when returning an original check (warrant) to us, please send it to:
BWC Benefits Payable
P.O. Box 15429
Columbus, OH 43215
Sending the original check (warrant) to a local service office will delay the process. A new check (warrant) will not be reissued until the original is received in Benefits Payable.
ZixMail, Sensitive Data, and Confidential Information
We take our responsibility to protect data seriously. You, our customer, have entrusted us with protecting your confidential information. In this unprecedented time, and while teleworking from our homes, protecting your data is imperative.
When a BWC employee receives sensitive data from an external party that is not protected, our employee will contact the sender and notify them to not send sensitive data unless it is protected.
When communicating with us via email, we urge you to protect the information that you are sending through ZixMail or a password-protected document. When sending a password-protected document, never send the password in the same email as the document and do not use the password as part of the document name. Please send the password in a different email.
The state provides ZixMail as a means to protect and secure email communication. ZixMail encrypts an email, including any attachments. This allows us to communicate with customers while protecting sensitive information. Transmitting an email without encryption leaves it and the information it contains vulnerable to interception by unauthorized individuals.
While teleworking, our need to communicate via email has significantly increased. We have run into issues with employers and representatives who have either locked themselves out of ZixMail or are not currently set up to receive a ZixMail. If you have an account, please keep your passwords current.
If you do not have a ZixMail account, we ask that you set up and maintain an account for all employees corresponding with us. While we continue teleworking, we will be forwarding documents and confidential information via ZixMail. Also, if you send an email to us containing confidential information, please use ZixMail when sending it.
For instructions on setting up an account, please email the RepConnect mailbox. This YouTube video also has instructions for setting up and maintaining an account.
C-92 Reminders
As a reminder, you can submit supporting medical documentation of an increase of impairment online with your Application for Determination or Increase of Percentage Permanent Partial Disability (C-92) through our website. If you are filing the C-92 for newly allowed conditions, please be sure you are listing all the additional condition(s) in which you are applying for an increase.
Also, if you have any questions regarding a C-92 payment or need additional information regarding the process, you can find the C-92 representative’s contact information in the initial C-92 processing claim note on our website. You can also request the representative’s contact information or additional information by emailing: BWCRegionalC92Supervisors@bwc.state.oh.us.
BWC Outreach Initiative
As a result of a recent incident involving an injured worker who threatened to harm themselves, we decided to take a proactive approach to attempt to identify injured workers who could be at risk for self-harm. Loneliness, isolation, and difficulty accessing needed treatment and services are some of the very real challenges injured workers face. For this reason, we are contacting a population of injured workers who are receiving permanent total disability benefits from our agency.
The initial outreach will be in the form of a letter and brochure. The brochure identifies several resources designed for Ohioans struggling with isolation, inactivity, nutritional needs, and other challenges, pandemic-related or not. After the injured workers receive the letter, a member of our team will contact these injured workers directly by phone.
The initial batch of letters is being sent to approximately 100 claimants between the ages of 50-69, with a psychiatric allowance(s), and who live in Ohio. We plan to expand this population each month.
Self-Insuring Employer Claim Documentation Requirements
As a self-insuring (SI) employer, you maintain the official records for your claims. In all claims, you must ensure that the required documents are submitted to the injured worker. For lost time and contested claims, you must also submit required documentation to us. Specifically, you must:
- Submit all documents related to motions and hearings to BWC and/or the Industrial Commission (IC) prior to the hearing, including the original First Report of Injury (FROI) if a BWC claim has not yet been filed.
- Provide medical reports to BWC and the IC within a reasonable time period from receipt of the documents.
- Provide copies of documents or information that will be submitted at a hearing to all parties as soon as they are available.
- Ensure that BWC’s file contains your certification determination.
- Ensure that all allowed conditions are accurately documented in BWC’s file.
Documents submitted with the original FROI will be indexed when the claim is assigned a claim number. Please ensure that all subsequent documents submitted to us have the correct BWC-assigned claim number. If a claim number has not been assigned, please do not send additional documents until there is a BWC claim number. Please fax all documents not submitted with the original FROI to 866-336-8352.
Transitional Work Grant Program Enhancements
We have enhanced the Transitional Work Grant (TWG) program for Ohio employers. Beginning June 1, employers are eligible for a TWG every five years, 100% reimbursement up to their approved grant maximum, and COVID-19 services.
Historically, an employer was only eligible for one TWG during the lifetime of the employer’s policy. The lifetime eligibility criteria has been removed, and an employer may now apply for a TWG every five years.
In the event an employer already received a TWG, the five years is calculated from the date of the previous TWG approval. Employers with a TWG approval date prior to June 1, 2016 are immediately eligible to apply for a new grant.
The 3:1 grant match reimbursement methodology has been removed. Grant reimbursement to the employer is now 100% of the submitted invoice up to the employer’s maximum awarded grant.
The maximum awarded TWG per employer is based on the number of employees. The maximum grant amounts are listed below:
- 11-49 employees -- $2,900.
- 50-199 employees -- $5,200.
- 200 or more employees -- $6,300.
An employer may only apply for one grant per policy number; however, employers with multiple policy numbers may combine their grant monies and develop a corporate program.
Any unused grant monies are referred to as Implementation Funds and are reserved for an employer to use until the grant expires. Implementation funds can be used to purchase services an employer needs to facilitate the use of their transitional work program.
We added two new implementation fund services to the program in late 2020. One service assists the employer in managing the injured worker’s return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another assists the employer in managing the workspace for health and safety during COVID-19.
In addition, employers that have a TWG are eligible to apply for the Transitional Work Performance Bonus program.
To learn more about these programs, visit the Transitional Work Programs on our website or email questions to our Transitional Work Unit at TWSupport@bwc.state.oh.us.
Thank you for helping us get Ohio’s injured workers back to work.
Accident Analysis Fundamentals (Online) E-Course
On April 7, 2021 we released the new Accident Analysis Fundamentals (Online) e-course. The new e-course is a more robust version that replaces the original 2010 Accident Analysis e-course. The new e-course provides a balance of interactivity and information. Like the 2010 version, the new e-course satisfies the Drug-Free Safety Program (DFSP) accident analysis training requirement.
This updated e-course along with other free safety e-courses are a significant resource for DFSP participants along with all employers.
Take an e-course today through our BWC Learning Center or view instructions on our How to Use the BWC Learning Center webpage.
New Videos Added to Micro Training Safety Series
Our Division of Safety & Hygiene has shared two new micro learning videos:
Workplace Vaccination Clinics
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is asking businesses to partner with COVID-19 vaccine providers in their communities to offer convenient clinics that meet the scheduling needs of employees. ODH has launched a webpage to connect businesses, organizations and partner vaccine providers with resources to plan workplace vaccinations and encourage employee participation. To get started, visit the ODH COVID-19 Vaccination Program for Businesses and Organizations page.
Suggestions or Questions
While we are teleworking to help minimize the spread of COVID-19, we want to continue to provide you with the best customer service possible.
Please email us at RepConnect for:
- Suggested topic(s) you would like to see in a future RepConnect.
- General questions you have on a claims processing issue.
- If you know someone who wants to be added to the RepConnect distribution list.
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