Things to Know about Ohio’s Handicap Reimbursement Program

Under a program put in place by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, employers can request that a percentage of the costs in a workers’ compensation claim be charged to, or refunded from, the Statutory Surplus Fund if a handicapped employee sustains a workplace injury.  Following are several things for employers who are insured through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to remember about the program.

—Qualifying conditions – Employers can only be granted reimbursement for costs associated to claims of injured workers with certain statutorily specified conditions. A list of the conditions for which reimbursement can be granted can be found at the end of this article.

–Eligible employers

—Although most state-fund employers are eligible for handicap reimbursement there are some exceptions. Employers who are eligible include:

—All state-fund employers;

—All public employers (except state agencies and universities).

Employers who are not eligible

—All non-complying employers (employers with no coverage or whose coverage had lapsed at the time of the injury)

—All out-of-business employers

—All self-insuring employers

—Most bankrupt employers (Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Some bankrupt employers may qualify for a reimbursement)

—State agencies and universities

Time limitations for filing.  Employers must file the application for handicap reimbursement while the claim is still within the employer’s experience.

Claim settlement does not affect an employer’s right to have a handicap reimbursement application considered.

All requests for Handicap Reimbursement are reviewed and determined by BWC’s Legal Operations Department.

Here’s a list of the conditions which qualify for handicap reimbursement:

Epilepsy;
Diabetes;
Cardiac disease;
Arthritis;
Amputated foot, leg, arm or hand;
Loss of sight of one or both eyes or partial loss of uncorrected vision of more than 75 percent bilaterally;
Residual disability from poliomyelitis;
Cerebral palsy;
Multiple sclerosis;
Parkinson’s disease;
Cerebral vascular accident;
Tuberculosis;
Silicosis;
Psycho-neurotic disability following treatment in a recognized medical mental institution;

Hemophilia;
Chronic osteomyelitis;
Ankylosis of joints;
Hyper Insulinism;
Muscular dystrophies;
Arterio-sclerosis;
Thrombo-phlebitis;
Varicose veins;
Cardiovascular and poliomyelitis;
Pulmonary diseases of a firefighter employed by municipal corporation or township as regular member of a lawfully constituted fire department;
Coal miners pneumoconiosis;
Disability with respect to which an individual has completed a rehabilitation program.