HMS Newsletter - Spring 2012
In this edition:
We're Social!!!
BWC Approves New Rating Program
New Measures to Monitor Medication Use for Injured Workers
BWC Approved Workplace Wellness Grant
Ohio Safety Congress and Expo Returns to Columbus March 27-29
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BWC Approves New Rating Program
The Ohio BWC Board of Directors has approved a new cafeteria style rating program that is designed to give employers the ability to choose the components that will best meet the needs of their organizations. Destination: Excellence incorporates already existing programs, adds a new grant and offers several participation and performance incentives. The components of the new Destination: Excellence program:
Drug Free Safety Program – Requirements of the program will remain the same however eligibility will be expanded to employers participating in the $15k medical only program and salary continuation. Group rated employers will be eligible to participate in both the basic and advanced levels at the same discount as non group rated employers. (Basic, 4% and Advanced, 7%).
Transitional Work Grant and Performance Bonus – Grants will be made available to employers that work with a certified developer to develop a written transitional work program. Employers will be eligible to receive a 10% performance bonus, with an approved program, by meeting their organization’s individual goals, with an approved program. Employers that received a grant prior to July 1, 2012 are not eligible for a grant however can receive the performance bonus, with an approved program.
Industry Specific Safety Program - A new program that will require employers to complete a safety risk assessment and provide the BWC with safety data in exchange for a 3% discount. Employers may be required to complete industry specific training, onsite safety consultation with the Safety and Hygiene division of the BWC or attend the annual BWC Safety Congress.
Safety Council Discount – Employers receive a 2% rebate for participation in their local safety council. Employers may also be eligible for an additional 2% performance bonus, if the employer meets their individual severity and frequency goals. Employers participating in group rating are not eligible for the participation bonus however can receive the performance bonus. Visit the Ohio BWC website to find the safety council near you.
Go Green and Lapse Free Discounts – Employers that choose to go paperless can receive a 1% discount if they choose to pay their premium online and can receive an additional 1% for not having a lapse in their premium in the last five years. Employers can receive up to $1,000 for each program, per six month payment period.
Vocational Rehabilitation – Rewards employers that work with medical partners and the BWC to provide vocational rehabilitation plans to return injured workers back to the workplace. Vocational rehab can help defray the costs of rehabilitation through the BWC surplus funds.
Some of the above programs are not compatible with other rating programs. To find out if you qualify, please review the compatibility chart. Details about the program will be available soon. In the meantime, you can visit the BWC website for more information about Destination: Excellence.
New Measures to Monitor Medication Use for Injured Workers
At the end of January, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Administrator, Steve Buehrer introduced The Coordinated Services Program, a new measure designed to limit the practice of doctor and pharmacy shopping. Under certain circumstances, the program would require the injured worker to choose a pharmacy from a BWC approved list and use that single location for any non emergent prescription. For injured workers convicted of a drug related offense, the BWC can also restrict the injured worker to the use of one prescribing physician for non emergent prescriptions. The physician is also selected by the injured worker from a list of BWC approved providers.
The Coordinated Services Program is among several recent improvements made to the BWC’s pharmacy program. The BWC has, also, implemented an outpatient prescription drug formulary in September. The drug formulary allows for a thorough clinical review of each new medication, better monitoring and control of inappropriate use. The formulary is expected to save up to $15 million by the end of 2012.
In addition, the BWC is now requiring generic medications, with physician approval, when available, and has established a Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee comprised of practicing pharmacists and physicians. The Committee will advise the BWC leadership on issues related to the use of medications prescribed to treat injured workers and will conduct relatedness editing to ensure injured workers are receiving medications relevant to their conditions.
BWC Approved Workplace Wellness Grant
In December, the BWC Board of Directors approved a Workplace Wellness Grant making $4 million available to Ohio employers that implement wellness programs in their organizations. Employers are eligible to receive up to $15,000 over four years to establish training and programs to reduce health factors specific to their employees.
The Workplace Wellness Grant Program has been established to study the effect that wellness programs in the workplace have on reducing the incidence and cost of accidents and illnesses. The goal of the program is to control the escalating cost of workers’ compensation claims through addressing health risk factors and reducing the health care costs for employers.
Ohio Safety Congress and Expo Returns to Columbus March 27-29
The Ohio Safety Congress & Expo will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center March 27 – 29th. The Safety Congress and Expo is the largest safety and health expo in the United States with over five thousand professionals from around the state attending. There is no charge to attend the Safety Congress which will offer three days of classes on safety and workers compensation as well as an expo center where attendees can interact with vendors of various products and services.
The Ohio Safety Congress & Expo will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center March 27 – 29th. The Safety Congress and Expo is the largest safety and health expo in the United States with over five thousand professionals from around the state attending. There is no charge to attend the Safety Congress which will offer three days of classes on safety and workers compensation as well as an expo center where attendees can interact with vendors of various products and services.
While you're there, don't forget to stop by the HMS booth #308.