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Oxycontin No Longer Covered
- In light of the major role Oxycontin has played in the opioid crisis faced by Ohio and the rest of the country, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has removed the painkiller from its list of approved drugs it will cover for Ohio’s injured workers. Starting in July of this year, no new prescriptions for Oxycontin will be approved and the drug will be replaced by Xtampza ER, another form of oxycodone like Oxycontin, but specifically formulated to make it difficult to crush, snort, or inject.
Deadline Approaches for DFSP Annual Reports
- The Ohio BWC’s Drug Free Safety Program (DFSP), designed to help limit workplace injuries and accidents involving drug and alcohol use, offers state-fund employers a premium rebate in exchange for their voluntary enrollment in the program. If you are a private employer currently enrolled in this program, the deadline for submitting your Annual Report—a requirement to remain enrolled—is quickly approaching on the last business day of this month, March 29, 2019. If you are not currently enrolled but would like to be, applications for private employers are due on or before the last business day in May preceding the new policy year beginning on July 1.
Premium Rates Drop 20% for Private Employers
- The new policy year beginning on July 1 will bring with it a reduction in premium rates by an average of 20% for private employers, the Ohio BWC recently announced. The BWC calls this their largest reduction in nearly 60 years. Note that this 20% represents the statewide average, but individual private employers’ rates and reductions will vary depending on such factors as their recent claims history and enrollment in rebate programs, among others.
BWC No Longer the BWC?
- Earlier this month, the BWC Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud announced a rebranding initiative for the BWC that may result in a change to the name of the organization entirely. The organization has sought feedback and creative ideas from BWC employees and stakeholders throughout the state, although it is unclear at this time when or even whether any name change will be ultimately decided upon and enacted.