The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s (BWC) Destination Excellence program allows employers to choose programs that best fit their risk management needs. It focuses on safer workplaces, return to work and savings options for administrative functions.
“These programs essentially offer discounts for things employers already do,” says Randy Jones, senior vice president of TPA Operations at CompManagement, Inc.
Smart Business spoke with Jones about Destination Excellence and how it fits with Ohio’s other premium discount programs.
What programs make up Destination Excellence and what are the discounts?
- Industry Specific Safety Program — Complete one to three loss prevention activities related to your industry, depending on your total payroll, as well as an online safety management self-assessment. Activities include industry specific training classes, attendance at BWC’s Safety Congress & Expo and/or on-site field consulting with a member of the BWC’s Division of Safety & Hygiene. The benefits are an increase in workplace safety and the implementation of industry best practices. It offers a 3 percent discount.
- Drug Free Safety Program — Prevent on-the-job injuries by integrating drug-free efforts into your safety program. The benefits are an increase in workplace safety, productivity and morale. The basic program offers a 4 percent discount, while the advanced program offers 7 percent.
- Safety Council — Regular attendance at safety council meetings in your community to increase awareness of workplace safety and health issues as well as affecting the frequency and severity of claims in your workplace. It’s a chance to learn best practices, increase collaboration among local business owners, improve public relations and increase safety. It also offers a 2 percent discount each for participation and performance.
- Transitional Work — Program to return injured workers to productivity in the workplace by providing modified job duties and other methods that accommodate medical restrictions. There are 3-to-1 matching grants available from BWC to start a program. This could lead to lower injury downtime, improved employee recovery time and increased worker morale, all of which protect your workforce. It also offers up to a 10 percent bonus discount for using an established and approved transitional work program with applicable claims that have dates of injury within that policy year.
- Go Green — Report your company’s payroll electronically and pay premiums in full on the BWC’s website. This reduces paperwork and helps the environment. It also means a discount of 1 percent of your premium, up to a maximum of $2,000 per policy period.
- Lapse Free — Pay premiums on time without a lapse in coverage during the past 60 months and get a 1 percent discount on your premium, up to a maximum of $2,000 per policy period.
Are the Destination Excellence programs compatible with other BWC discounts?
While participating in the Destination Excellence program, employers can participate in the following programs:
- Group Rating.
- Experience Modifier cap.
- $15,000 Medical-only.
- Grow Ohio Incentive Program.
- One Claim Program (private employers).
- Early Payment Discount (cannot be combined with Go Green).
The Go Green and Safety Council discounts within Destination Excellence are compatible with the above programs, as well as Group retrospective rating, Individual retrospective rating and Large/Small Deductible. Small Deductible also can be used with the Drug Free Safety Program.
What are the enrollment deadlines?
The private employer deadline is the last business day of February. For public employers, it’s the last business day in October. Employers wishing to participate in a Safety Council must enroll in a local program by July 31.
What’s the best way to calculate savings?
Contact your workers’ compensation third-party administrator to request a ‘feasibility study.’ It can help you evaluate how the programs could impact your costs. ●
Randy Jones is senior vice president of TPA Operations at CompManagement, Inc. Reach him at (800) 825-6755, ext. 65466, or [email protected].
Insights Workers’ Compensation is brought to you by CompManagement, Inc.
