Governor DeWine seeks approval of $1 Billion dividend to Ohio employers, marking $10.2 Billion under his administration
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has asked the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors to approve a dividend projected at $1 billion for Ohio businesses. If adopted, this dividend would bring the total amount paid to private and public employers under Governor DeWine’s administration to $10.2 billion.
The total dividend payments would exceed the premiums employers have paid since 2019, meaning the typical employer will have received more back in workers’ compensation dividends than they have paid in premiums during Governor DeWine’s two terms in office.
Employers who did not complete their 2022 policy year true-up or have a status that is currently lapsed may be ineligible to receive this dividend. Employers have until Aug. 28, 2026, to complete their true-up for the 2022 policy year and resolve their lapsed status to receive this dividend.
Find out more about the dividend proposal on our website.
 Explore innovative sessions at MHS26!
Explore some of our sessions coming to the 2026 Medical & Health Symposium (Sept. 16–18). Each offers practical insights, real world perspectives, and tools to support integrated, patient centered occupational health care.
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Integrating community support in traumatic brain injury care: Learn practical ways to address social determinants of health, coordinate services, and connect patients to tools that reduce isolation, financial strain, and barriers to care.
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Advancing independence with brain-computer interfaces & assistive technology: Hear a firsthand perspective on life after traumatic spinal cord injury from a long-term brain-computer interface (BCI) clinical trial participant.
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Bringing new medical technologies into practice: Inventor and CEO Easton LaChappelle explores the path from early stage innovation to real world clinical adoption, including barriers, workflows, regulatory considerations, and team coordination.
These are just a few of the sessions in our lineup designed to inspire, inform, and elevate your work. Registration is free and open to everyone, so register today!
August 2026 outpatient medication formulary updates: Key changes
Effective Aug. 1, 2026, updates to the BWC outpatient medication formulary will go into effect. Below is a summary of the most notable changes.
For the full and official formulary, please refer to the Appendix of Ohio Administrative Code 4123‑6‑21.3. The appendix now also includes brand names when applicable.
Medications and Classes with Coverage Changes
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Miscellaneous antidepressants and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): A related allowed condition is required for reimbursement.
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Migraine products: Reimbursement now allows two calcitonin gene‑related peptide (CGRP) antagonist products—one for acute and one for prophylaxis treatment.
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Trelegy (fluticasone‑umeclidinium‑vilanterol AEPB): May be considered for reimbursement with prior authorization documenting an allergic reaction or inadequate response to at least one inhaled respiratory medication from two different classes, which can include dual‑therapy products, but not short‑acting beta‑agonists.
Medications added to First Fill coverage
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Medication Name
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Quantity Limit
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Amitriptyline Tab 10 MG, 25 mg
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30
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Bictegravir-Emtricitabine-Tenofovir AF Tab 50-200-25 mg (Biktarvy®)
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30
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Diazepam Tab 5 mg
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5
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Epinephrine Solution Auto-injector 0.3 mg/0.3mL (1:1000)
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2
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Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen Tab 7.5-325 mg, 10-325 mg
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42
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Oxycodone/Acetaminophen Tab 7.5-325 mg, 10-325 mg
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42
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Oxycodone Tab 10 mg
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42
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Pregabalin Cap 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg
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30
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Sumatriptan Succinate Tab 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg
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9
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Questions
If you have questions about these medication changes or our pharmacy program, you may call the BWC Pharmacy team at 1-877-543-6446 or email Pharmacy.benefits@bwc.ohio.gov.
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 PRP injection coverage change effective Oct. 1, 2026
Effective Oct. 1, 2026, Plasma-Rich Protein (PRP) injections will be added to BWC’s Ohio Administrative Code rule listing services that are never reimbursed, OAC 4123-6-07.
Managed care organizations (MCOs) that receive treatment reimbursement authorization requests (C-9s) for PRP injections on or after this date will have those requests dismissed. Services listed in this rule are not eligible for authorization or review through the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process.
For questions about this change, contact BWC’s Medical Policy team at Medpol@bwc.ohio.gov.
 Vocational rehabilitation fee schedule
Ohio Administrative Code 4123-18-09, vocational rehabilitation provider fee schedule rule and appendix updates become effective Oct. 1, 2026.
Key changes:
- Updates service rates for most services by 2.6%.
- Maintains service rates for provider mileage to the state mileage rate of $0.58.
- Removes the reference to the Ohio Administrative Code in the definition for Child / Dependent Care.
The adopted updates reflect our goals to continue a more direct relationship between reimbursement and service expectations and to promote efficiency in the provision of quality services.
Vocational rehabilitation programs are voluntary and individually tailored to an injured worker and their work environment. These programs keep injured workers working, help them return to their original job, or secure a new job with another employer.
You can access, review, and download the current and the Oct. 1, 2026, fee schedules by visiting the fee schedule on our website.
 Register for BWC Virtual Provider Forum on Aug. 19
Join us Wednesday, Aug. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. for our next Virtual Provider Forum, a must-attend event for anyone involved in Ohio workers’ compensation.
Hear from Dr. Bradley Lewis, BWC's chief medical officer, Sharina Armstrong, director of policy, reimbursement and coding and Deanna Boing, Cleveland Service Office claims director. They will discuss Precision in Practice: First Report of Injury (FROI) Essentials, Time-Based Billing Codes, and Initial Diagnosis.
In this one-hour lunch-and-learn, we will cover:
- The difference between time-based and non-time-based billing codes.
- How time-based billing codes apply to BWC.
- Recent BWC updates.
- FROI requirements, including how to complete the form, symptoms vs. diagnosis, and causality.
Engage directly with our experts during a live Q&A and online chat — get your questions answered in real time.
Space is limited; once we’re full, registration will close. Register today!
This activity has been awarded: 1.0 ANCC contact hour and 0.1 IACET CEU. To earn continuing education credit, you must attend at least 90% of the session (including Q&A) and complete a short evaluation.
- The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
- The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has been accredited as an IACET Accredited Provider. For tracking purposes, 60 minutes of education content is awarded 0.1 CEU.
Questions?
Email us at BWCProviderEngagement@bwc.ohio.gov
 Upcoming meetings
The following committee meetings will be in person at BWC's William Green Building (30 W. Spring St., Columbus, Ohio).
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Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee: Aug. 5, 2026, from 1 - 3 p.m.
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Health Care Quality Assurance Advisory Committee (HCQAAC) Meeting: Aug. 12, 2026, Nov. 4, 2026, from 10 a.m. - noon
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MCO Medical Directors Meeting: Oct. 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. – noon
To request a reasonable accommodation due to disability for these meetings, please contact Lisa Brown-Dillon in BWC’s ADA Office at BWCADA@bwc.ohio.gov as soon as possible.
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