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From the desk of Debi Kroninger
Chief of Medical Operations
Don’t miss it! Register now for our Medical & Health Symposium
As a valued provider, we’d like to personally invite you and your staff to our virtual Medical & Health Symposium, April 7 – 9, 2022 – Register today!
Five reasons to attend our symposium:
- Registration is free and everyone may attend, even if you are not seeking continuing education credit.
- Watch a live orthopedic surgery Friday, April 8, accompanied by an informative presentation on knee and shoulder injuries, followed by Amberley Snyder from the Netflix original movie, “Walk. Ride. Rodeo.,” telling her personal story of recovery.
- Listen to national and state experts address some of today’s most pressing health and medical issues such as COVID-19, Pharmacogenetics and Opioid Use Disorder, Alternatives to Pain Management, Managing the Stress of Change, Optimizing Return to Work, the Aging Eye, and Breaking the Web of Needless Disability
- We are seeking continuing education approval for 19 different health care and legal professions.
- Interact with thousands of your peers worldwide and gain valuable insights. You may also network with health care related exhibitors in our virtual Exhibitor Hall, where you have chances to win valuable prizes.
See our brochure or website for more information. Register today and plan to attend our three-day event from the comfort of your home or office.
If you have questions, call our provider contact center at 1-800-477-2292 or email medsymposium@bwc.state.oh.us.
I look forward to seeing you virtually in April!
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COVID-19 State of Emergency temporary policy expansions
As a reminder, we are extending the use of telephone service codes (99371-99373) in lieu of an office visit through March 31, 2022. BWC maintains the requirement that a provider must use local level telephone service codes (99371- 99373) when billing for an audio-only telephone service, including when used in lieu of an office visit or mental health counseling service.
Prior authorization to provide telephone services is required. You should refer to the Provider Billing and Reimbursement Manual’s telephone policy and Policy Alert E#2020-3 for additional guidance. For more information, see the fact sheet for COVID State of Emergency Temporary Policy Expansions.
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Become a BWC transitional work developer; orientation March 30
Are you a case manager, physical or occupational therapist and enjoy working with employers at the job site? If yes, consider becoming a BWC-accredited transitional work grant program developer. Plan to attend our next developer orientation class webinar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 30.
“This class is also open to providers and individuals who want to learn about our remain-at-work and early return-to-work strategies and services for Ohio’s employers,” said Tina Elliott, director of return-to-work services.
Developer orientation class registration
To register for the class, complete the Transitional Work Developer Orientation Application (TWD-15). Fax your application to 614-621-5758 or email it to TWSupport@bwc.state.oh.us. You will then receive an email confirmation of your class registration and class material by mail.
If you have questions or want to attend the class to learn more about transitional work, email TWSupport@bwc.state.oh.us.
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MCOs face new challenges in obtaining medical records
A provider’s diagnoses and medical documentation are relied upon to determine what conditions are related to the injury or illness. It is the medical groundwork that helps establish when an injury occurred.
BWC’s managed care companies (MCOs) are experiencing difficulties obtaining medical information from hired medical record vendors and some larger hospital record departments. These delays are ending in claims being denied or claims dismissed for insufficient information. Vendors are telling MCOs that record requests will be completed in 30 days, and at a cost.
What is the requirement for submission?
According to Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 4123-6-20 (E), in accepting a workers’ compensation case, the provider (physician, hospital, urgent care, etc.) assumes the obligation to submit medical information within five days of receiving a written request. MCOs begin requesting medical documents right away after a work injury is filed to assist in claim allowances and to continue to manage the claim.
Can you charge for copies of medical?
Generally, no you can’t. OAC 4123-6-20.1 (B) shares that a medical provider cannot charge for completing bureau forms or submitting medical documentation. This rule does allow charging if you already submitted the copies – see section (B)(3).
Where to send medical documents
The MCO Directory includes the contact information to report injuries, submit medical documentation, and bills.
Inform your vendor/facility compliance department today!
We ask that all health care facilities with hired vendors or medical records departments handling requests to inform your compliance department of the obligation to submit medical records timely and without cost. Some vendor companies manage records for more than one state and may be unaware but need informed now by those Ohio providers contracting their services.
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Upcoming meetings
All public meetings of the Health Care Quality Assurance Advisory Committee (HCQAAC), MCO Medical Directors, MCO Quality of Care committee, and Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P & T) committee are in-person meetings at BWC’s William Green Building (30 W. Spring St. Columbus, Ohio).
The next scheduled meetings are:
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MCO Medical Directors from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., April 13, 2022.
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MCO Quality of Care committee from 1 – 3 p.m., April 13, 2022.
If you are not fully vaccinated, please wear a mask. Thank you.
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Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
Vision: To transform BWC into an agile organization driven by customer success.
Mission: To deliver consistently excellent experiences for each BWC customer every day. Core Values: One Agency, Personal Connection, Innovative Leadership, Relentless Excellence.
Established in 1912, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is the exclusive provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Ohio, serving 249,000 public and private employers. With nearly 1,600 employees and assets of approximately $25 billion, BWC is one of the largest state-run insurance systems in the United States. For more, visit www.bwc.ohio.gov.
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