Report: Ohio Overpaying for Workers’ Comp

This week, Columbus’ NBC affiliate, WCMH-TV, reported on study that found Ohio employers are “vastly” overpaying to finance the state-run workers’ compensation system. According to the report, Ohio’s workers’ comp claims are down significantly, from 1.4 million in 2008 to about 600,000 in 2017. Meanwhile, payments to managed care organizations (MCOs), which handle the medical management of claims and process payments to providers, have remained steady over this period — to the tune of about $170 million a year.

According to the study, on the national level, for each dollar paid for worker medical benefits, 14% goes to MCO administration fees. For each dollar paid in Ohio, MCOs receive 27%.

A year after the study was released, critics say the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWS) has failed to act on the study, which said changes are necessary. The BWC told NBC4 that “it’s all under review.” 11/21/2019