Ohio - A Monopolistic State

Since 1912 the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation, BWC, has benefited employers and employees by providing medical and compensation benefits for work-related injuries, diseases and deaths. Today, BWC has a central office in Columbus and 16 customer service offices located across the state. BWC provides insurance to about two-thirds of Ohio's work force. The remaining workers receive coverage directly through their employers. Coverage provided directly through an Ohio employer is done so as a part of a self-insurance program for large and financially stable employers who meet strict qualifications set by BWC. Ohio has the largest exclusive state fund in the nation with a value of more than $19 billion in assets. The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation is the second largest underwriters of workers' compensation insurance in the country. The BWC provides workers compensation coverage to more than 280,000 employers, has processed more than 185,000 new claims and paid out more than $1.9 billion in workers comp benefits while all along collecting more than $2.1 billion in premiums and assessments from employers.

Ohio's monopolistic state workers compensation program consists of two sections. The BWC, which is the insurance part, provides insurance coverage and administrative functions to the program. The Industrial Commission of Ohio or the IC provides the claims part. The IC is where you go to contest Ohio workers comp claims decisions.

The final part of the Ohio workers comp system consists of the Ohio Workers Compensation Oversight Commission. This commission is responsible for keeping a watchful eye on the Bureau of Workers Compensation's investments, policies and administrative rules. This commission is made up of five members chosen from the labor, employer and public sectors.

For more detailed information on the Ohio workers compensation system visit the Ohio State Rules and Laws page.