Frequently Asked Questions

Question Index

Should we include cases with days away from work due to COVID-19 on our OSHA 300AP report?
If I contract COVID-19, is it a compensable workers' compensation claim?
If I am quarantined due to COVID-19 can I receive workers' compensation wage replacement benefits?
Are you making determinations on new claims?
How will my benefits be extended when my doctor's office is closed, and they haven't completed my Medco-14?
Will my benefits be extended if I am participating in a rehab program?
Will my wage loss benefits be discontinued if I'm unable to complete the job searches?
I have an Independent Medical Exam (IME) scheduled and it has been cancelled, will my benefits be suspended?
How will BWC be handling 90-day and extent of disability IMEs?
Will I be able to speak with my claim representative?
What happens if my claim is denied or my employer does not agree with my claim?
Will my Ohio Industrial Commission hearing be cancelled?
Will I be able to pick up a check for a compensation payment in a local service office?
How will BWC handle additional allowance and Temporary Total (TT) entitlement requests that would ordinarily require an IME?
How is BWC addressing C-92 applications?
Will BWC allow employers to delay installment payment due to COVID-19's hardship?
Will BWC be suspending audits of self-insuring (SI) and state fund (SF) employers?
What are employers supposed to do about the classes that were cancelled? What about the - day classroom training?
Will BWC extend the public employer taxing district (PEC) true-up grace period that ended Will BWC extend the public employer taxing district (PEC) true-up grace period that ended March 16?
Will BWC be extending program reporting/requirement completion deadlines?
How can I edit semi-annual report
What are the attendance requirements for the monthly meetings?
How can I check to see if I am registered for safety meeting
What benefits are provided by workers' compensation coverage?
If I incorporate my business will I have to get workers' compensation coverage?
What if I own my own business, do I still need BWC coverage?
Do I need to have a Ohio workers' compensation policy?

Should we include cases with days away from work due to COVID-19 on our OSHA 300AP report?

No answer yet...

If I contract COVID-19, is it a compensable workers' compensation claim?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

It depends on how you contract it and the nature of your occupation. Generally, communicable diseases like COVID-19 are not workers' compensation claims because people are exposed in a variety of ways, and few jobs have a hazard or risk of getting the diseases in a greater degree or a different manner than the general public. However, if you work in a job that poses a special hazard or risk and contract Covid-19 from the work exposure, BWC could allow your claim.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

If I am quarantined due to COVID-19 can I receive workers' compensation wage replacement benefits?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

BWC can only pay compensation in an allowed claim for disability resulting from the allowed conditions. An executive order issued by Governor DeWine however, expands flexibility for Ohioans to receive unemployment benefits during Ohio's emergency declaration period. For more information on unemployment benefits go to: the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Are you making determinations on new claims?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Yes. Our staff will be teleworking and have access to our systems.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

How will my benefits be extended when my doctor's office is closed, and they haven't completed my Medco-14?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

To minimize the chance of interruption of benefits for injured workers currently receiving temporary total compensation, staff have been instructed to continue payments to April 30, 2020.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Will my benefits be extended if I am participating in a rehab program?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

To minimize the chance of interruption of benefits for injured workers currently receiving living maintenance compensation, payment plans will continue to April 30, 2020.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Will my wage loss benefits be discontinued if I'm unable to complete the job searches?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Job searches will be suspended until April 30, 2020 and all forms of wage loss payments (working wage loss/non-working wage loss, living maintenance wage loss) will be continued.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

I have an Independent Medical Exam (IME) scheduled and it has been cancelled, will my benefits be suspended?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

No, your benefits will not be suspended. If you need to cancel the exam there will be no penalty for doing so. In the future, you will be notified of a rescheduled date.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

How will BWC be handling 90-day and extent of disability IMEs?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Currently, BWC is suspending all IMEs but we are exploring alternative means of obtaining medical evidence including 'virtual' examinations. Claims staff will be setting up follow-up reminders.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Will I be able to speak with my claim representative?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

If you are represented by an attorney, call your attorney first. Staff will be monitoring voice mail on a imited basis, but the most efficient method of communication will be via email messaging. The email address for your claims service specialist (CSS) can be found on the bottom of any correspondence you have previously received or look up your claim here. For general questions, you may also call our call center at 1-800-OHIOBWC.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

What happens if my claim is denied or my employer does not agree with my claim?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

The normal appeal process remains in place - parties to the claim will continue to have 14 days to ppeal. The Ohio Industrial Commission (IC) will continue to have hearings. For the latest information isit the IC website at www.ic.ohio.gov.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Will my Ohio Industrial Commission hearing be cancelled?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Please feel free to visit the IC website at www.ic.ohio.gov to view updated information and press releases.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Will I be able to pick up a check for a compensation payment in a local service office?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

After March 18, 2020, you will no longer be able to pick up your check from a local service office. We will address requests for overnight delivery on a case by case basis.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

How will BWC handle additional allowance and Temporary Total (TT) entitlement requests that would ordinarily require an IME?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

BWC will continue processing additional allowance and TT entitlement requests and seek physician file reviews instead of IMEs when possible. BWC is also exploring alternative means of obtaining medical evidence including 'virtual' examinations.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

How is BWC addressing C-92 applications?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Except for an increase to a percent of permanent disability (%PP) award these requests must be sent for an IME. While IMEs are temporarily suspended, BWC is exploring alternative means of obtaining medical evidence including 'virtual' examinations.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Will BWC allow employers to delay installment payment due to COVID-19's hardship?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

BWC is reviewing legal requirements along with other payment options. We will provide information on this as soon as we are able.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Will BWC be suspending audits of self-insuring (SI) and state fund (SF) employers?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Yes, BWC has suspended face-to-face audits for both SI and SF employers. Paper and virtual audits will continue. We will be issuing temporary certificates to SI employers.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

What are employers supposed to do about the classes that were cancelled? What about the - day classroom training?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Employers are encouraged to take advantage of online classes for program requirements while we continue to assess other training options.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Will BWC extend the public employer taxing district (PEC) true-up grace period that ended Will BWC extend the public employer taxing district (PEC) true-up grace period that ended March 16?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

BWC is reviewing policy and legal requirements pertaining to this issue.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Will BWC be extending program reporting/requirement completion deadlines?
Asked on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

BWC is reviewing policy and legal requirements to determine flexibility with these deadlines.
Responded on 3/20/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

How can I edit semi-annual report
Asked on 2/5/2020 by Hose Master LLC, Kathy Culmer

Currently you can not edit your annual report online. If you have changes you need to email them to us and we will take care of it.
Responded on 2/5/2020 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

What are the attendance requirements for the monthly meetings?

The meetings are monthly, generally the third Friday of the month. Lake County Safety Council members need to attend 10 out of the 12 meetings over the course of the reporting cycle...July 1 thru June 30. Also, the CEO or high ranking official at the company/organization needs to attend one of the meetings.
Responded on 1/4/2017 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

How can I check to see if I am registered for safety meeting
Asked on 10/4/2016 by USM Precision Products, Jay Rust

If you log into your account, your account information page will show what meetings you are registered for and what meeting you have attended including your dues payments and semi-annual reports.
Responded on 10/4/2016 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

What benefits are provided by workers' compensation coverage?
Asked on 3/27/2009

After a claim for a work injury is allowed, the policy will cover payment of medical bills, compensation for lost wages, permanent disability and settlements.
Responded on 3/27/2009 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

If I incorporate my business will I have to get workers' compensation coverage?
Asked on 3/27/2009

All employees including corporate officers, except for individuals incorporated as a corporation with no employees or family farm corporate officers, are considered employees and must have an active workers' compensation policy covering them.
Responded on 3/27/2009 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

What if I own my own business, do I still need BWC coverage?
Asked on 3/27/2009

Owners of sole proprietorships, partners in a partnership and individuals incorporated as a corporation (with no employees) are not considered employees and have the option whether or not to cover themselves.
Responded on 3/27/2009 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert

Do I need to have a Ohio workers' compensation policy?
Asked on 3/27/2009

If you have any employees, you must have an active workers compensation policy to insure coverage for those employees against a workplace injury. ORC 4123.01 details the requirements for workers compensation coverage for Ohio employers.
Responded on 3/27/2009 by JPS Design Group, John Siebert