The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) offers employers many different rating, bonus and rebate programs to encourage cost control, return-to-work, efficiency and safety. If you are interested in enrolling in a BWC program, or are already enrolled, here are some important deadline dates to remember.

If you have any questions or if you would like to learn more about these discount programs and the potential savings they have to offer to your organization, click on the program hyperlink or feel free to contact Lora Brooks, Sedgwick Program Specialist at 800.825.6755, ext. 65436.

To receive and maintain workers' compensation coverage, employers must pay premiums timely to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).

Through the year, you have been making premium installment payments based on estimated payroll.  Now, as we near the conclusion of 2021 policy year (7/1/2021 through 6/30/2022), BWC will be requiring all private employers to reconcile (“true-up”) the payroll that was used to estimate their premium with their actual payroll for the policy year.   BWC will also be sending information regarding premium installments for the upcoming 2022 policy year (7/1/2022 through 6/30/2023).

Here are some important reminders and actions you can take to be eligible to receive rebates and avoid penalties.

1. BWC will be mailing 2022 estimated annual premium notices along with your installment schedule around May 1, 2022.
   
   • If you expect your payroll to change during the 2022 policy year from the estimate provided, you can call BWC at 800-644-6292 and request a change to your payroll and installment schedule.
   • Failure to make installment payments based on the installment schedule can result in lapses in coverage and late penalties, therefore make sure installment payments are paid by the due dates as noted on the installment schedule.  The first installment payment will be due by mid/late June 2022.
     
     • If you are having trouble keeping up with your installment payments which result in lapses in coverage, this is a good opportunity to change to a less frequent installment schedule (quarterly, semi-annually, or annually).  Through May 15, 2022 employers can go online at www.bwc.ohio.gov and update their installment plan for the 2022 rating year.
   • If you pay your full 2022 premium by the June installment due date, you can earn a 2% Early Payment Discount. There is no need to switch to an annual installment, but the premium must be paid in full by the due date.  BWC will issue the 2% refund the following month.
2. BWC will mail notices regarding the 7/1/2021 through 6/30/2022 True-Up around July 1, 2022; reporting and payment is due by August 15, 2022
   • Failure to true-up and pay any additional premium will result in your policy being removed from all discount and rebate programs, and your policy  will remain ineligible for discounts and rebates in future years.
3. Employers can receive a rebate for paying premiums and completing true-up online with BWC's Go-Green Rebate Program. Refer to Go-Green Rebate Program for more information.

If you have any questions regarding premium installments or the true-up process, contact your Sedgwick rate analyst at 800.825.6755.

In March, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors approved base rates for the upcoming 7/1/2022 rating year for private employers.  The rates will result in a 10% overall decrease in collectable premiums.  Although the overall collectable rate is decreasing, each manual classification’s impact may be different. Refer to the chart to determine how your manual classification(s) may be impacted. 

BWC also approved the following assessment rates.  The money collected through these assessments is used to fund the operation expenditures of BWC and Industrial Commission (IC), and to pay cost of living increases to injured workers collecting permanent and total disability benefits.  The BWC Admin portion of the rate did not change while the IC rate increased slightly.

*Rates listed are a percentage of merit-rated premium and are effective for the 7/1/2022 to 6/30/2023 payroll period for private employers and for the 1/1/2023 to 12/31/2023 payroll period for public employers.

If you have any questions regarding these changes, or would like to see the impact that these changes may have to your workers’ compensation premiums, contact your Sedgwick Rate Analyst at (800) 825-6755.

Private Employers:
It will soon be time for Sedgwick to send renewal invoices for the upcoming 2023 Group Rating Program year. In an effort to become environmentally responsible and to avoid mail delays, if you have an email address on file with us, we will be emailing your renewal invoice and encouraging online enrollment and payment.  If you prefer to pay with a check, the emailed invoice can be printed and sent to our mailing address.

For those that don’t respond online, a paper copy will be mailed prior to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation filing deadline.

If you would like to verify your email address, feel free to contact your Customer Service Representative at 800.825.6755.

Public Employers:
You should have already received your renewal notice for the upcoming 2023 Program Year.

If you have already returned your reenrollment paperwork, thank you for your continued partnership. 

If you did not receive the notice or need another copy, please contact your Customer Service Representative at 800.825.6755.