Complete Story
06/24/2024
Sedgwick
Sedgwick is proud to be the administrator of the Ohio Foot and Ankle Medical Association’s workers’ compensation group rating program.
Sedgwick is proud to be the administrator of the Ohio Foot and Ankle Medical Association’s workers’ compensation group rating program. The OHFAMA’s group participants saved $18,043 in 2020-21 due to program stability and comprehensive quality services.
Sedgwick analyzes each employer’s unique claim and premium history to find the highest level of savings – from the BWC maximum to a lesser percentage for companies with claims.
For more information, or for a no-cost, no-obligation quote of your potential premium savings, contact David Deyo, OHFAMA's Sedgwick representative at 614.376.5401.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Workers' Compensation?
Ohio workers' compensation helps injured workers and employers cope with workplace injuries. The Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) pays medical benefits and lost wages to employees who are injured or contract an occupational disease on the job. BWC also pays death benefits to survivors when a death results from a work-related injury or disease.
What is Workers’ Compensation Group Rating?
Group rating is a program that allows companies in a similar industry to "group” their workers’ compensation claims history together. By grouping companies with few or no claims, all businesses enrolled in the group will earn a discount on their premium.
Why Should I Join a Group Rating Program?
Group rating enables companies to save significantly on workers’ compensation premiums, ranging from as much as 53% to 18% for those companies with claims. While group rating is an Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) program, all group programs are sponsored by an organization, such as an association or chamber of commerce. Each program offers its own savings rate. You could potentially save thousands more with another group program.
How is Coverage Provided Under a Group Rating Program?
Coverage is still provided through the BWC. Each member maintains their own policy number and payments continue to be made to the BWC.
Can You only Enroll One a Year, and is this True of All Groups?
Yes, BWC regulations dictate this. Quotes are provided throughout the Fall with an enrollment deadline in November for traditional group rating and January for group retro.
Is there a Cost to Participate in the Program?
Each member is charged an administrative fee to be in the program. By enrolling in a group rating program, you are also bringing plan administrator Sedgwick to provide cost control services. Details of the administrative fee will be provided along with the proposal. Also, you MUST become a paid member of the sponsor organization.
If I am Uncertain Whether my Company Would Qualify, Should I Apply?
Yes, each year the BWC assigns new rates based on an employer’s payroll and experience. A company who did not previously qualify due to penalty rating may qualify if their claim history improved.
How will I Receive my Savings?
Coverage is with the BWC and the premium statements from the Bureau will reflect the group discounted rate.
What are some Important Program Deadlines?
- July 1, 2023: Policy year begins, new rates effective
- August 15, 2023: Previous policy year payroll true-up due
- November 21, 2023: Group Rating application deadline for July 2024 start date
Attention Group-Rating Prospects
Employer may complete the AC-3 for as many TPAs or group rating sponsors as they feel are necessary to obtain quotes for a group-rating program.
- Active BWC coverage status as of the application deadline;
- Active coverage from the application deadline through the group rating year;
- No outstanding balances;
- Operations similar in nature to the other members of their group.
Any changes to a group member’s policy will affect the group policy. Note: For complete information on the rules for group rating, see Rules 4123-17-61 through 4123-17-68 of the Ohio Administrative Code or your third-party administrator (TPA).
Group sponsors must notify all current group members if they will not be accepted for the next group rating year. Current participants are notified in October of that calendar year if they will not qualify for the group ratings program.
