BWC has new workplace wellness program

COLUMBUS — Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Stephen Buehrer announced the addition of a workplace wellness program to help employers meet the challenges related to rising incidences of obesity and chronic disease.  Over the next four years, the program will make $4 million available to employers to create programs to control escalating costs of workers’ compensation claims associated with these health risk factors.

“Health factors like obesity and chronic disease can contribute to workplace injuries and slow the recovery of an injured worker,” said Buehrer.  “By promoting wellness programs in the workplace, we are helping improve the quality of life for working Ohioans and their families, as well as helping reduce costs for Ohio’s employers.”

Participating employers will be awarded up to $15,000 over four years to implement wellness programs in their workplaces. BWC expects more than 600 employers will benefit from these grants, which will be awarded on a “first come, first serve” basis based on availability of funds.

BWC will gather data from participating employers to determine the effectiveness of the program in reducing claims frequency and costs, improving return-to-work and reducing health-care costs to employers.

The program was approved by the BWC Board of Directors on Friday, December 16, and an application process is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year.

In other business, the board approved creation of a new rating plan, Destination: Excellence, which aims to improve return-to-work rates by offering employers more choice in building a risk management plan that focuses on safety, prevention and returning those who are injured to their jobs more quickly.  The cafeteria-style plan allows employers to select among seven new and existing program options (see fact sheet) to customize a plan that addresses their specific needs.

“This rating plan supports better outcomes for injured workers and costs savings for employers as they select premium discounts around their individual needs,” added Buehrer.