Ohio Workers’ Comp Bureau: Lower Rates for Public Employers Proposed

Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Stephen Buehrer has proposed an overall five percent decrease in rates for public employer taxing districts (PEC). The reduction would be effective Jan. 1, 2012.

If approved by the board of directors, the reduction could lower premiums by an estimated $13.6 million for Ohio’s 3,900 cities, counties, townships, villages, schools and special districts.

While the overall rate reduction would average five percent from the current year, several industry groups within the public sector would see greater overall decreases.

Rates for counties and school districts would decrease by an overall six percent; villages by an overall nine percent; and special districts (excluding transit authorities) by an overall 20 percent.

Rates for individual PEC entities will differ based on several factors.

Some employers may experience slight increases while others see decreases based on their own claims history and base rate changes for manual classifications that could be smaller or larger than the rate change indication presented.

The board is expected to review base rates and vote on the proposed overall reduction at its October meeting.

Topics Commercial Lines Workers' Compensation Business Insurance Ohio