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This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Chapter 4123-3 | Claims Procedure

 
 
 
Rule
Rule 4123-3-01 | Office locations; scope of rules.
 

(A) Offices of the bureau of workers' compensation shall be located in cities as the administrator establishes and each office will be open during posted hours of operation, holidays excepted, for the receipt and filing of claim applications or any other documents and for the transaction of any business pertinent to the administration of the workers' compensation law.

(B) Any application, form, or document required to be filed with the bureau but received by the industrial commission or managed care organization (MCO) shall be considered filed on the date stamped received by the commission or MCO and shall be forwarded to the appropriate bureau office or section for processing. Any application, form, or document required to be filed with the commission but received by the bureau or MCO shall be considered filed on the date stamped received by the bureau or MCO and shall be forwarded to the appropriate commission office or section for processing.

(C) The rules in this chapter shall govern claims procedures before the bureau, and include related matters applicable to claims procedures before the industrial commission.

(D) Failure to adhere to the rules of the bureau shall be a valid ground for refusal by the bureau to grant the relief sought and may result in further action as may be applicable under each case.

(E) All claims shall be processed in an orderly, uniform and timely fashion.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.30, 4121.31
Amplifies: 4121.121, 4123.05
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 9/1/1996
Rule 4123-3-02 | Forms.
 

(A) Printed forms for all applications, reports, notices, proofs, etc., necessary for perfecting any claim before the bureau or commission will be furnished without charge by the bureau. Such forms may be obtained online or from any office of the bureau or commission.

(B) Each employer shall maintain a sufficient supply of forms as required by section 4123.07 of the Revised Code, and make the forms available to the employees who sustain industrial injuries or contract occupational diseases.

(C) Any required form or equivalent must be furnished with sufficient detail to facilitate the prompt and accurate adjudication of the questions presented.

(D) The bureau shall furnish to the public without charge printed forms for use in filing applications for benefits or compensation, or for submitting other necessary proof in any claim before the bureau and the industrial commission.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.13, 4121.30, 4121.31
Amplifies: 4121.11, 4121.121, 4123.05
Five Year Review Date: 6/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/1964
Rule 4123-3-03 | Employers' reports of injuries and occupational diseases.
 

(A) Every employer shall keep a record of all injuries and occupational diseases resulting in seven days or more of total disability or death and shall report them to the bureau of workers' compensation within one week of acquiring knowledge of such injury or death and within one week after acquiring knowledge of or the diagnosis or death from the occupational disease as required by section 4123.28 of the Revised Code.

(B) Public employers and employers contributing to the private fund of the state insurance fund shall make such reports on the application for benefits or equivalent.

(C) Self-insuring employers shall use the application for benefits or equivalent provided by the bureau of workers' compensation to make the report of injury or occupational disease as required by section 4123.28 of the Revised Code, within the prescribed time limits set forth. Reports of death due to injury and occupational disease shall be on the application for benefits or equivalent.

(D) Self-insuring employers shall make a similar report on the application for benefits or equivalent in claims for injury, involving seven days or less of lost time, wherein it is apparent that there will be permanent partial disability under division (B) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code. In such cases involving occupational disease, the report shall be on the application for benefits or equivalent.

(E) In order to assist in determining whether the claimant is entitled to an extension of the statute of limitations as set forth in section 4123.28 of the Revised Code, the bureau shall maintain a record of all injuries and occupational diseases reported by each employer.

(F) Each employer shall give a copy of each report to the employee it concerns or his or her surviving dependents as required by section 4123.28 of the Revised Code.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.30, 4121.31
Amplifies: 4121.11, 4121.121, 4123.05, 4123.28
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 1/16/1978
Rule 4123-3-07 | Applications for death benefits.
 

When the death of an employee is the result of a work related injury or occupational disease, the employee's dependents may file an application for death benefits. To be considered a "dependent", a person must be a member of the family of the deceased employee, or bear to the employee the relation of surviving spouse, lineal descendant, ancestor, or brother or sister. An application signed by a person claiming to be a dependent, as described herein, shall be accepted for filing and shall be sufficient to initiate proceedings for workers' compensation benefits and to obtain a ruling on the validity of the claim. If there are no dependents, the application may be filed by the estate of the deceased employee, the attending physician, the funeral director, by a volunteer paying the funeral bill, by a person who authorized the burial and funeral expenses or by the employer, for services rendered because of the injury or occupational disease causing the employee's death.

Last updated April 19, 2022 at 8:27 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.13, 4121.30, 4121.31
Amplifies: 4121.121, 4123.05, 4123.59
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 10/17/1968, 10/4/2004
Rule 4123-3-08 | Preparation and filing of applications for compensation and/or benefits.
 

(A) Preparation and execution of forms.

(1) The "First Report of Injury" form (FROI-1) or equivalent for applying for payment from the state insurance fund due to an injury, occupational disease, or death may be completed by the employee, employer, medical provider, or other interested party. If someone other than the employee submits a FROI-1 or equivalent, the bureau may contact the employee to attempt to verify that the employee wishes to pursue the application. To accept or deny the validity of the claim, the employer may complete and sign the form at the designated point or may use a separate writing, telephone, or other means of telecommunication.

(2) The FROI-1 for applying for payment from a self-insuring employer shall be completed, signed by the employee, and returned to the self-insuring employer. In situations where there is no prescribed form, a notice in writing shall be given in a manner sufficient to inform that a claim for benefits is being presented.

(3) An injured or disabled employee who is a minor (under eighteen years of age) shall file a claim in his or her own name and right. A report of injury signed by such minor employee shall be sufficient to initiate proceedings for compensation and/or benefits.

(4) In the event the injured or disabled employee is unable to complete the first report of injury by reason of physical or mental disability, the report may be completed and filed by the employee's spouse, next friend, the guardian of the employee, or the employee's employer. In claims for death benefits where the dependents are a spouse and one or more minor children, it shall be sufficient for the spouse to make application for benefits on behalf of the spouse and the minor children. In the event a dependent minor child has a guardian of the person other than the spouse of the deceased, such guardian shall execute the report on behalf of such minor child. If there is no spouse surviving, the report on behalf of the dependent minor children, or children who are mentally or physically incapacitated, may be filed by a guardian or next friend of such children.

(5) It shall be the duty of every employer to assist injured or disabled employees in the preparation and submission of reports for compensation and/or benefits. In the event that the employer refuses, neglects or unduly delays the completion of a report, the report may be filed without the part pertaining to the employer having been completed. The fact of refusal or neglect should be noted upon the report or with it by way of separate letter.

(6) In cases where the death of the employee is not the result of injury or occupational disease, an application for accrued compensation may be made as provided in sections 4123.57 and 4123.60 of the Revised Code.

(7) Application for payment of the balance of percentage permanent partial disability compensation, awarded under division (A) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code prior to the employee's death, shall be made by the injured employee's dependents. The application may be filed whether the death was related or unrelated to an industrial injury or occupational disease.

(B) Certification by the employer.

(1) An employer shall accept or reject the validity of a claim filed against its risk within the time as required by sections 4123.511 and 4123.84 of the Revised Code and the rules of the industrial commission and bureau of workers' compensation. If the employer fails to comply with the established time limits, the bureau shall take such further action in the claim as provided for by section 4123.511 of the Revised Code and the rules of the industrial commission and the bureau.

(2) If the employer accepts or denies the validity of the claim, the employer may sign the report at the designated point and return the requested information to the bureau, or the bureau may obtain the employer's certification or denial of the claim by a separate writing, by telephone, or by other forms of telecommunication.

If the employer denies the validity of the claim, the employer shall state the reasons for rejecting the validity of the claim.

(3) Certification by the employer in state fund cases shall not be determinative of compensability. Every such claim is subject to administrative review as to compensability.

(4) An employer's certification of a claim may be made by the employer, by an officer of the business entity which is the employer, or by a duly designated representative of the employer. The person certifying a claim for the employer shall indicate in what capacity the person is employed (title). No other person or entity may make such certification. No person may certify his or her own claim, except in cases of a sole proprietor who has obtained coverage as an employee within Chapter 4123. of the Revised Code.

(C) Place and manner of filing applications for benefits.

Any first report of injury shall be accepted for filing in any office of the bureau, MCO, or industrial commission during working hours, and reports may be filed by mail or reported by telecommunication.

(D) Time limitations within which claims must be filed.

(1) Injury claims applying for compensation and/or benefits shall be in writing or by telecommunication as provided for in division (E) of section 4123.84 of the Revised Code, and shall include the specific part or parts of the body alleged to have been injured, the claimant's name and address, and the date of injury. Such claims occurring prior to September 29, 2017, shall be forever barred unless notice is filed with the bureau of workers' compensation, MCO, or the industrial commission within two years from the date when injured, unless the applicable statute of limitations is extended due to the employer's failure to file a report as required by section 4123.28 of the Revised Code. Such claims occurring on or after September 29, 2017, shall be forever barred unless notice is filed with the bureau of workers' compensation, MCO or the industrial commission within one year from the date when injured, unless the applicable statute of limitations is extended due to the employer's failure to file a report as required by section 4123.28 of the Revised Code. Except as provided in paragraph (D)(3) of this rule, any claim or application for compensation and/or benefits for an injury to any part or parts of the body not specified in the original claim will be barred unless notice of the additional part or parts of the body claimed to have been injured is filed by the claimant with the bureau of workers' compensation, MCO, or the industrial commission within two years of the date when injured for injury claims occurring prior to September 29, 2017, and within one year of the date when injured for injury claims occurring on or after September 29, 2017.

(2) In self-insuring employers' claims, the time limitation is tolled if the employer has provided treatment by a licensed physician in the employ of the employer or has paid compensation or benefits within the period. "Benefits" means payment by the self-insuring employer to, or on behalf of, an employee for:

(a) A hospital bill;

(b) A medical bill for treatment by a licensed physician, other than a salaried physician in the employ of the self-insuring employer;

(c) An orthopedic or prosthetic device.

(3) The bureau of workers' compensation and the industrial commission have continuing jurisdiction over a claim which meets the requirement of section 4123.84 of the Revised Code, including jurisdiction to award compensation and/or benefits for a condition (or conditions) or disability developing in part or parts of the body not specified pursuant to division (A)(1) of section 4123.84 of the Revised Code, if it is found that the condition (or conditions) or disability was due to and a result of or a residual of the injury to one of the parts of the body set forth in the written notice filed pursuant to division (A)(1) of section 4123.84 of the Revised Code.

(4) Claims for occupational disease arising prior to September 28, 2021 must be filed within two years after the disability begins, or within such longer period as does not exceed six months after diagnosis by a licensed physician, as provided in section 4123.85 of the Revised Code, excepting claims enumerated in paragraph (D)(5) of this rule, other than berylliosis, or where the applicable statute of limitations is extended due to the employer's failure to file a report as required by section 4123.28 of the Revised Code. The filing limitation of six months after diagnosis, where it applies, can only lengthen, not shorten, the two-year statute of limitations.

(5) Claims for occupational disease arising on or after September 28, 2021 must be filed within one year after the disability begins, or within such longer period as does not exceed six months after diagnosis by a licensed physician, as provided in section 4123.85 of the Revised Code, excepting claims enumerated in paragraph (D)(7) of this rule, other than berylliosis, or where the applicable statute of limitations is extended due to the employers failure to file a report as required by section 4123.28 of the Revised Code.

(6) Special statutory provisions (section 4123.68 of the Revised Code) exist as to claims for silicosis, cardiovascular, pulmonary, or respiratory diseases of fire fighters and police officers, coal miners' pneumoconiosis, asbestosis, berylliosis, radiation illness and all other occupational diseases of the respiratory tract resulting from injurious exposures to dust

(7) Death claims, alleging that the death is the result of an injury occurring prior to September 29, 2017, must be filed within two years of the death or be forever barred, except as provided in paragraphs (D)(8) and (D)(9) of this rule. Death claims, alleging that the death is the result of an injury occurring on or after September 29, 2017, must be filed within one year of the death or be forever barred.

(8) Where the death is due to an occupational disease and occurs prior to September 28, 2021, the claim must be filed within two years of the death, as provided in section 4123.85 of the Revised Code. Where the death is due to occupational disease and occurs on or after September 28, 2021, the claim must be filed within one year of the death.

(9) Emergency management claims for injury or death must be filed within one year from the date when injured or from the date of death, or be forever barred. If an injury claim has been filed within the one-year period and the claimant subsequently dies, a death claim must be filed within six months after the death or be forever barred.

(10) Public works relief employees' claims occurring prior to September 29, 2017, must be filed within two years after the date when injured or the date of death, or be forever barred. Public works relief employees' claims occurring on or after September 29, 2017, must be filed within one year after the date when injured or the date of death, or be forever barred.

(11) Militia claims, special contract claims and apprentice claims are governed by the general time limits applicable to injury and occupational disease claims, as provided by sections 4123.84 and 4123.85 of the Revised Code.

Last updated May 2, 2022 at 9:17 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4121.30, 4121.31
Amplifies: 4121.121, 4123.032, 4123.05, 4123.28, 4123.511, 4123.68, 4123.84, 4123.85, 4123.89
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 8/22/1986 (Emer.), 1/27/1997, 4/1/2014
Rule 4123-3-09 | Procedures in the processing of applications for benefits.
 

(A) Numbering and recording.

(1) Upon receipt, the bureau will assign a claim number to each initial application for benefits. The bureau shall provide the claim number to the claimant and employer. In cases where a deceased employee has filed, during his or her lifetime, an industrial claim for the injury or disability which is the subject matter of the death claim, the application for death benefits shall be assigned the original claim number.

(2) The claim number should be placed on all documents subsequently filed in each claim and the claim number should be given when inquiry is made concerning each claim.

(B) Initial review and processing of new claims.

Immediately after numbering and recording, all new claim applications, except applications of employees of self-insuring employers, shall be reviewed and processed by the bureau. "Processing on the question of compensability" means making a determination on the validity of the industrial claim.

(1) Uncontested or undisputed claims.

A "contested or disputed claim," as used herein, is where the employer or the bureau of workers' compensation questions the validity of a claim for compensation or benefits. No claim shall be regarded as a contested or a disputed claim requiring a formal (public) hearing, solely by reason of incomplete information, unless every effort has been made to complete the record.

(a) If a state fund claim meets the statutory requirements of compensability, the claims specialist shall have authority to approve such claim for payment of medical bills and temporary total disability compensation or other appropriate compensation. The approval of the claim must contain the description of the condition or conditions for which the claim is being allowed and part or parts of the body affected.

(b) In the processing of initial applications in state fund claims, requesting payment of compensation in addition to medical benefits, the claims specialist may approve temporary total disability compensation over a period not to exceed four weeks, without medical proof in the record, provided that the application has been properly completed and signed, certified by the employer and was otherwise noncontroversial. If medical proof was submitted with the initial application, the above limitation shall not apply. Upon approval of the claim the claimant shall be notified in writing that his or her attending physician's report will be necessary for consideration of any additional payment of compensation and an appropriate form shall be enclosed, with the necessary instructions, for the claimant's convenience.

(2) Contested or disputed claims.

(a) Contested or disputed claims as well as claims requiring investigation shall be referred, immediately after the initial review, to the appropriate office of the bureau from which investigation and determination of issues may be made most expeditiously.

(b) If the bureau or the employer contests the claim application and the claimant is not available for an adjudication due to the claimant's service in the armed services of the United States, the bureau shall continue the matter in accordance with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act until the claimant is available for adjudication of the claim.

(3) Applications for death benefits.

Immediately after numbering and recording, all applications for death benefits shall be referred to the appropriate office of the bureau from which investigation and determination of issues may be made most expeditiously. Every effort should be made to complete the investigation within the shortest time possible, depending on the facts and circumstances of each particular case, to enable prompt adjudication of such claims by the bureau.

(4) Contested (disputed) applications for workers' compensation benefits filed by employees of self-insuring employers shall be referred to the industrial commission for a hearing.

(C) Proof.

(1) In every instance the proof shall be of sufficient quantum and probative value to establish the jurisdiction of the bureau to consider the claim and determine the rights of the applicant to an award. "Quantum" means measurable quantity. "Probative" means having a tendency to prove or establish.

(2) Proof may be presented by affidavit, deposition, oral testimony, written statement, document, or other forms.

(3) The burden of proof is upon the claimant (applicant for workers' compensation benefits) to establish each essential element of the claim by preponderance of the evidence. Essential elements shall include, but will not be limited to:

(a) Establishing that the applicant is one of the persons who under the act have the right to file a claim for workers' compensation benefits;

(b) That the application was filed within the time period as required by law;

(c) That the alleged injury or occupational disease was sustained or contracted in the course of and arising out of employment;

(d) In death claims, that death was the direct and proximate result of an injury sustained or occupational disease contracted in the course of and arising out of employment; the necessary causal relationship between an injury or occupational disease and death may be established by submission of sufficient evidence to show that the injury or occupational disease aggravated or accelerated a pre-existing condition to such an extent that it substantially hastened death;

(e) Any other material issue in the claim, which means a question that must be established in order to determine claimant's right to compensation and/or benefits.

"Preponderance of the evidence" means greater weight of evidence, taking into consideration all the evidence presented. Burden of proof does not necessarily relate to the number of witnesses or quantity of evidence submitted, but to its quality, such as merit, credibility and weight. The obligation of the claimant is to make proof to the reasonable degree of probability. A mere possibility is conjectural, speculative and does not meet the required standard.

(4) The bureau or commission may, at any point in the processing of an application for benefits, require the employee to submit to a physical examination or may refer a claim for investigation.

(5) Procedure on employer's request for medical examination of the claimant by a doctor of employer's choice.

The employer may require a medical examination of the employee as provided in section 4123.651 of the Revised Code under the following circumstances:

(a) Such an examination, if requested, shall be in lieu of any rights under paragraph (C)(5)(b) of this rule and in no event will the claimant be examined on the same issue by a physician of the employer's choice more than one time. The exercise of this examination right shall not be allowed to delay the timely payment of benefits or scheduled hearings. Requests for further examinations will be made to the bureau or commission following the provisions of paragraph (C)(5)(b) of this rule. The cost of any examination initiated by the employer shall be paid by the employer including any fee required by the doctor, and the payment of all of the claimant's traveling and meal expenses, in a manner and at the rates as established by the bureau from time to time. If employed, the claimant will also be compensated for any loss of wages arising from the scheduling of an examination.

All reasonable expenses shall be paid by the employer immediately upon receipt of the billing, and the employer shall provide the claimant with a proper form to be completed by the claimant for reimbursement of such expenses.

The employer shall promptly inform the bureau or the commission, as well as the claimant's representative, as to the time and place of the examination, and the questions and information provided to the doctor. A copy of the examination report shall be submitted to the bureau or commission and to the claimant's representative upon the employer's receipt of the report from the doctor.

Emergency treatment does not constitute an examination by the employer for the purposes of this rule. Treatment by a company doctor as the treating physician constitutes an examination for the purposes of this rule. The procedure set forth in paragraph (C)(5)(a) of this rule shall be applicable to claims where the date of injury or the date of disability in occupational disease claims occur on or after August 22, 1986.

(b) If after one medical examination of the claimant under paragraph (C)(5)(a) of this rule, an employer asserts that a medical examination of the claimant by a doctor of the employer's choice is essential in the defense of the claim by the employer, a written request may be filed with the bureau for that purpose. In such request the employer shall state the date of the last examination of the claimant by a doctor of employer's choice on the question pending. If there was no such prior examination, the request must so indicate.

(c) If the claim is pending before the industrial commission or its hearing officers and the question sought to be clarified by such examination is not within the jurisdiction of the bureau (for example: permanent total disability), the request shall be referred, forthwith, to the industrial commission or to the appropriate hearing officer, as the case may be, for further consideration.

(d) If the question sought to be clarified by the requested examination is within the bureau's jurisdiction (for example: temporary total disability in otherwise undisputed claim, allowance of additional condition), the bureau shall immediately act upon the request.

If, upon a review of the claim file the bureau is of the opinion that the request should be denied for the reason that the claimant has been recently examined by a doctor of the employer's choice, or for any other reason indicating that further examination would not be pertinent to the defense of the claim, based on the facts and circumstances of each particular case, the matter shall be referred, forthwith, to the appropriate district hearing officer for further consideration. In cases of temporary total disability, a medical examination performed within the past thirty days shall be regarded as "recent." If the question involves additional allowance of claim for an additional condition allegedly causally related to the allowed injury or occupational disease, a medical examination performed within the past sixty to ninety days may be regarded as "recent," depending on the nature and type of the condition and/or disability.

(e) All reasonable expenses incurred by the claimant in submitting to such examination, including any travel expense that the claimant may properly incur, shall be paid by the employer immediately upon receipt of the billing. Payment for traveling expenses shall not require an order of the bureau or commission, unless there is a dispute. The employer shall provide the claimant with a proper form to be completed by the claimant for reimbursement for traveling expenses. In addition, if the claimant sustains lost wages as a result of such examination, the employer shall reimburse the claimant for such lost wages within three weeks from the date of examination. Expenses incurred by the claimant and wages lost by reason of attending such examination are not to be paid in the claim.

(f) The employer shall make arrangements for such examination within fifteen days from the date of receipt of the order of approval. The examination shall be performed not later than within thirty days from the date of the receipt of approval.

The doctor's report shall be filed with the bureau immediately upon its receipt. Failure of the employer to comply with this rule shall not delay further action in the claim, unless it is established that the omission was due to causes beyond the employer's control.

(6) Procedure for obtaining the deposition of an examining physician. Authority to allow depositions is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the industrial commission. Any such request, if filed with the bureau, shall be referred, forthwith, to the industrial commission for further consideration.

(D) Hearings and orders.

(1) Unless required by law or by the circumstances of the claim, the claim shall be adjudicated without a formal hearing.

(2) Disputed or contested claims shall be set for a formal (public) hearing on the question of allowance before the district hearing officers. A "disputed or contested claim," as used herein, is where the employer or the claimant questions the decision of the bureau regarding a request for compensation or benefits. No claim shall be regarded as a contested or disputed claim requiring a formal (public) hearing, solely by reason of incomplete information unless every effort has been made to complete the record In the event the employer or claimant object to the decision of the bureau, such objection shall be made in writing with rationale and supporting evidence, as appropriate.

(3) The administrator or his or her designee may appear at such hearings to represent the interest of the state insurance fund and/or the surplus fund.

(4) The bureau shall make payment on orders of the commission, and district or staff hearing officers in accordance with law and rules of the bureau and the industrial commission.

(5) If the administrator or his or her designee is of the opinion that an emergency exists which requires an immediate hearing of a claim, he or she may request an emergency hearing. "Emergency," as used herein, means a sudden, generally unexpected occurrence or set of circumstances demanding immediate action. Such request shall be made in accordance with the rule of the industrial commission on emergency hearings as defined in rule 4121-3-30 of the Administrative Code.

(E) Representation of claimants and employers before the bureau. Representation of claimants and employers before the bureau is a matter of individual free choice. The bureau does not require representation nor does it prohibit it. No one other than an attorney at law, authorized to practice in the state of Ohio, shall be permitted to represent claimants for a fee before the bureau.

(F) If the bureau or the parties believe that clarification of issues will facilitate the processing of the claim, the claimant, employer, and their duly authorized representatives, as defined in rule 4123-3-22 of the Administrative Code, shall be given an opportunity to provide additional evidence on questions pertaining to the claim pending before the bureau.

The evidence shall be made a part of the claim file to be considered by the bureau when the determination is made on the issue pending before the bureau.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121
Amplifies: 4121.121, 4121.43, 4123.651
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 12/21/1979
Rule 4123-3-10 | Awards.
 

(A) Compensation check issuance, delivery and endorsement.

(1) Definition of claimant.

As used in this rule the word "claimant" shall apply to an employee who sustained an injury or contracted an occupational disease in the course of and arising out of employment, to the dependent of a deceased employee, as well as to any person who was awarded compensation under the Ohio Workers' Compensation Act.

(2) Time limit for issuance.

(a) Any order, finding or decision of the bureau, the industrial commission, or its hearing officers wherein payment of compensation is to be made shall be promptly forwarded to the appropriate department of the bureau charged with the duty of making the payment, or in the case of a self-insuring employer to the personnel of such employer charged with the disbursement of funds in industrial claims.

(b) The initial payment of the bureau in payment of compensation under an order shall be issued within the time limits set forth in division (H) of section 4123.511 of the Revised Code. The payment will include compensation accrued and due the claimant at that time. Further payment of compensation due under that order shall be made by the bureau in biweekly installments. In self-insuring employers' claims payment will be made in accordance with applicable laws and rules.

(3) To whom paid.

(a) Awards of compensation shall be made payable only to the claimant as defined in paragraph (A)(1) of this rule, except in cases of lump sum advancements, or where the claimant is an incompetent person or is a minor awarded a lump sum of compensation, or in the case of attorneys fees as provided in paragraph (A)(7) of this rule.

(b) If the claimant is an incompetent person, payment shall be issued payable and shall be mailed to the claimant's legally appointed guardian upon the receipt of documentary proof establishing the existence of such guardianship.

(c) If the claimant is a minor and was awarded a lump sum of compensation, such sum shall be paid to the claimant's legally appointed guardian or in accordance with section 2111.05 of the Revised Code.

(d) If the bureau or the industrial commission determines that it is to the best interest of the claimant that a guardian of the property be appointed to receive the benefits payable, payment shall be withheld until such guardian is appointed.

(4) Delivery of the bureau's payment to claimant and exceptions.

The standard method of delivering payment to a claimant or benefit recipient shall be by electronic fund transfer, as provided in paragraph (D) of this rule. Where the bureau issues a check, the bureau's checks payable to a claimant shall be mailed to the claimant's address, as officially recorded in the claim file, except as provided in this paragraph:

(a) The mailing of the bureau's compensation check to a place requested by the claimant in an authorization to receive workers' compensation payment or equivalent, executed in accordance with paragraph (A)(5) of this rule, must be approved by the administrator or the administrator's designee, or by the industrial commission or designee.

(b) Checks for lump sum settlements or lump sum advancements shall be disbursed in accordance with instructions of the bureau or industrial commission, as indicated in the order approving such advancements.

(c) In cases of advancements made by the employer during a period of disability, the bureau's checks shall be delivered in accordance with rule 4123-5-20 of the Administrative Code.

(5) Personal pick-up of the bureau's checks by a claimant and/or by parties other than a claimant.

(a) Provided approval has been given by a member of the industrial commission or designee, the administrator of the bureau of workers' compensation or the administrator's designee, or a hearing officer, a claimant, an attorney for a claimant, or any other person authorized by a claimant, may pick-up a compensation check issued by the bureau.

(b) When a claimant authorizes another person to pick up the claimant's compensation check, the authorization shall be an authorization to receive workers' compensation payment or equivalent. On all types of compensation, other than percentage of permanent partial compensation, the authorization must be filed prior to or at the hearing, or prior to the date of payment of the award of compensation, whether the award of compensation was made at a hearing or without a hearing. For authorization to receive compensation checks in connection with permanent partial disability applications and applications for increases thereof, the authorization must be filed with the application, with the agreement of permanent partial disability, with the election, or with the industrial commission at formal hearing or not later than prior to the date of mailing of the findings resulting from the formal hearing.

(c) The warrant will be made payable to the claimant and sent in care of the attorney/representative identified on the authorization to receive workers' compensation payment or equivalent. The warrant shall be mailed to the address that the claimant indicated on the request, or at a place designated by the administrator.

(d) A person authorized to pick-up the check at the bureau shall furnish adequate identification and sign a dated receipt verifying acceptance of the check.

(e) In self-insuring employers' claims, the claimant and the employer may agree on check delivery or pick-up, such agreement to be based on the same principles as outlined in this rule.

(6) Endorsement of checks and procedure in the event of claimant's death.

(a) Checks payable to a claimant's guardian must be endorsed by said guardian in the guardian's official capacity.

(b) When a claimant dies prior to endorsing a compensation check or accessing an electronic benefit payment, no one has the right to endorse and cash such check or access the electronic benefit funds. Each check payable to a claimant shall bear on the reverse side, immediately above the point specified for endorsement, the standard printed certification explaining the limitations and penalties for false endorsements, as required by the department of administrative services for state warrants and checks.

Checks that cannot be endorsed because the claimant is deceased must be returned to the bureau's benefits payable section, at the address designated by the administrator, by the party handling the claimant's affairs, notifying the bureau of the date of death, if known. Upon receipt of information of claimant's death, payment of compensation shall be terminated and proper entry made in the records of the bureau.

(7) Procedure for a lump sum payment and attorney fees where the claimant is an obligor for child support payments.

(a) If a claimant is entitled to a lump sum payment of one hundred and fifty dollars or greater and the claimant is an obligor for child support payments, prior to issuing the lump sum payment, the bureau shall notify the claimant and the claimant's attorney in writing that the claimant is subject to a support order. The bureau shall hold the lump sum payment for thirty days, pending application by the attorney for attorney fees as provided in paragraph (A)(7)(b) of this rule.

(b) The bureau shall instruct the claimant's attorney in writing to file a copy of the fee agreement signed by the claimant, along with an affidavit signed by the attorney setting forth the amount of the attorney's fee with respect to that lump sum payment award to the claimant and the amount of all necessary expenses, along with documentation of those expenses, incurred by the attorney with respect to obtaining that lump sum award. The attorney shall file the fee agreement and affidavit with the bureau within thirty days after the date the bureau sends the notice under paragraph (A)(7)(a) of this rule.

(i) The attorney shall file a copy of the fee agreement that clearly establishes the fee for the lump sum payment in the claim. The attorney's failure to file a copy of the fee agreement shall be a reason for the bureau to reject the application.

(ii) The attorney shall file an affidavit in the form provided by the bureau. The attorney may complete the affidavit on the form provided by the bureau or in an affidavit that contains at least all of the elements of the form established by the bureau. The affidavit shall be notarized. The attorney's failure to file an affidavit in the form proscribed by the bureau or failure to obtain a notary signature shall be a reason for the bureau to reject the application.

(iii) The attorney fee shall be limited to the fee for obtaining the specific lump sum payment that is the subject of the bureau notice provided in paragraph (A)(7)(a) of this rule. The attorney fee shall be limited to the written fee agreement of the initial lump sum payment of the award. The bureau will reject a fee application that includes fees from awards other than the subject lump sum payment or that request a fee from future payments of the award after the lump sum payment.

(iv) If the attorney claims reimbursement for expenses in the affidavit, the expenses shall be limited to the expenses for obtaining the specific lump sum payment that is the subject of the bureau notice provided in paragraph (A)(7)(a) of this rule. The attorney shall provide itemized expenses and documentation to support the expenses. If the attorney fails to provide the required information on expenses, the bureau may reject that portion of the fee application, but shall process the attorney fee portion of the application.

(v) Where the bureau has paid the attorney fee under paragraph (A)(7)(c) of this rule, the bureau will not honor an authorization to receive workers' compensation payment or equivalent for that award under paragraph (A)(5) of this rule, except in cases of court settlement of the workers' compensation claim.

(vi) Before rejecting an attorney fee affidavit or fee agreement due to noncompliance with any part of this rule, the bureau shall notify the attorney of the noncompliance and provide the attorney an opportunity to submit additional information during the thirty day hold period provided in paragraph (A)(7)(a) of this rule.

(c) Upon receipt of the fee agreement and attorney affidavit, the bureau shall review the affidavit as provided in this rule. If the affidavit complies with this rule, the bureau shall deduct from the lump sum payment the amount of the attorney's fee and necessary expenses and pay that amount directly to and solely in the name of the attorney within fourteen days after the fee agreement and attorney affidavit have been filed with the bureau.

(d) After deducting any attorney's fee and necessary expenses, if the lump sum payment is one hundred fifty dollars or more, the bureau shall hold the balance of the lump sum award in accordance with division (A)(11) of section 3121.037 of the Revised Code.

(B) Medical awards.

Medical awards shall be paid by the bureau within the time limits set forth in rule 4123-6-42 of the Administrative Code.

(C) Rules for self-insuring employers.

Self-insuring employers shall make payment of compensation and benefits within the time as required by law and rules of the bureau.

(1) It is the duty of the employer to pay, in accordance with the act, the amount of compensation due a claimant whose injury or occupational disease has resulted in more than seven days lost time. Payment shall be made in the manner provided by law and the rules of the bureau.

(2) It is the duty of the employer to pay for necessary medical services rendered by health care providers as a result of an injury or occupational disease for which a claim was recognized by the employer or allowed by the industrial commission.

(3) It is the duty of the employer to pay the amount of compensation and/or benefits due in a compensable death case, and to make payment to the proper dependents or to such other persons who may be entitled thereto in accordance with the governing statutes and the orders and rules of the bureau. In the event death is the result of a compensable injury or occupational disease, the employer shall also pay the funeral allowance provided by statute at the time of death.

(4) All awards made by self-insuring employers must be at least equal to the amounts specified in the applicable statutes, the rules of the bureau and the industrial commission.

(5) Self-insuring employers shall follow the procedures in paragraph (A)(7) of this rule relating to a lump sum payment and attorney fees where the claimant is an obligor for child support payments.

(D) Electronic payment of compensation and benefits.

(1) Pursuant to section 4123.311 of the Revised Code, this rule describes the bureau's program of electronic payments to:

(a) Utilize direct deposit of funds by electronic transfer for disbursements the administrator is authorized to pay;

(b) Require a payee to provide a written authorization designating a financial institution and an account number to which a payment may be made;

(c) Contract with an agent to supply debit cards for claimants to access payments made to them and credit the debit cards with the amounts specified by the administrator by utilizing direct deposit of funds by electronic transfer;

(d) Enter into agreements with financial institutions to credit the debit cards with the amounts specified by the administrator;

(e) Inform claimants about the bureau's utilization of direct deposit of funds by electronic transfer, furnish debit cards to claimants as appropriate, and provide claimants with instructions regarding use of those debit cards.

(2) For any compensation paid directly to a claimant, the bureau shall require either an electronic fund transfer into a savings or checking account, or shall issue to the payee an electronic benefits card.

(a) The bureau shall provide to the claimant notice of the types of compensation or payments paid directly to a benefit recipient that are included in the electronic benefits program.

(b) The bureau shall provide to the claimant notice of the types of compensation or payments not paid directly to a benefit recipient that are not included in the electronic benefits program. Payments made under an authorization to receive workers' compensation checks are excluded from the electronic benefits program.

(3) The bureau shall notify a benefit recipient of the requirement for electronic payment of benefits and compensation and ask the benefit recipient to provide the financial institution and account to which the bureau shall deposit the compensation or benefits. If the benefit recipient does not have an account or does not respond, the bureau shall issue the payment by a bureau debit card. The debit card shall be used to deliver compensation payments electronically.

(4) The bureau shall contract with a vendor for the debit cards to allow benefit recipients to receive payment without a monthly maintenance fee. The bureau shall issue the debit card only to the benefit recipient.

(5) The bureau shall provide to a benefit recipient who lives in a foreign country an electronic benefit card.

(6) The bureau shall provide notice of electronic payment delivery on the payment remittance of each paper warrant issued to eligible benefit recipients. The notice shall include the two different payment options and shall provide the benefit recipient the opportunity to select between the two electronic payment options.

(7) A benefit recipient may request a waiver of the electronic payment delivery of compensation or benefits under this rule for special circumstances due to hardship in establishing a personal checking or savings account or in accepting the bureau debit card. The request for a waiver shall be referred to the bureau benefits payable department and may be reviewed by the administrator's designee.

Last updated May 2, 2022 at 9:17 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.30, 4121.31, 4121.43
Amplifies: 3121.0311, 4121.12, 4121.121, 4123.311
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 7/1/2019
Rule 4123-3-11 | Reports of payments by self-insuring employers.
 

(A) During the continuance of temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, or wage loss compensation caused by an injury or occupational disease, the employer shall, at the request of the bureau of workers' compensation or the industrial commission at any time or at the request of the claimant or claimant's representative where the issue of compensation is pending in a workers' compensation hearing or adjudication matter, file a report of compensation payments with the bureau showing the amount and type of compensation paid to such employee during the preceding period. The report shall indicate the date when the first installment of the type of compensation reported was paid.

(B) In the event an injury or occupational disease results in a disability compensable under division (A) or (B) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code, and an agreement has been entered into between the employee and the employer as to the compensation to be paid for such permanent partial disability, the agreement shall state when the first installment of such compensation is to be paid. Such agreement shall be signed by the employee and employer and shall be filed with the bureau as soon as it has been completed. Such agreement shall be accompanied by a report from the attending physician which shall indicate the extent of the permanent partial disability sustained.

(C) In cases of compensable death claims, where the employer and the dependents or legal representatives of a deceased employee agree that the death is compensable, and there being no question of apportionment of death benefits, they enter into an agreement in writing as to the benefits which are to be paid; such agreement shall be reported by the employer. It shall indicate the date of the first installment of payment, the weekly rate of death benefits, the period of time over which such benefits will be paid (lifetime or specific dates) and the total amount of benefits in cases where it is known. Such agreement shall be signed by the employer and the dependent, dependents, or legal representatives and shall be filed with the bureau within one month of the date of execution of the agreement. Such agreement shall include provision for the payment of appropriate funeral, medical, hospital and other expenses. Subsequent reports of the payment of death benefits shall be filed with the bureau at the request of the bureau or the commission at any time or at the request of the claimant or claimant's representative where the issue of compensation is pending in a workers' compensation hearing or adjudication matter. Should there be a change in death benefits as a result of changes in the dependency status of the recipients, employer's reports shall reflect same.

In cases of compensable death claims, where the employer and the dependents or legal representatives of a deceased employee agree that the death is compensable but where there is a question of apportionment, the self-insuring employer may choose to pay death benefits before a hearing at the industrial commission. The first such payment should indicate to the beneficiaries that because there is a question of apportionment among the surviving spouse, dependent children, or other dependents, the commission must issue an order apportioning the payment; therefore, payments until such order issues are subject to an adjustment in accordance with the apportionment ordered by the commission among the beneficiaries at such time as the apportionment order issues.

In other death claims approved for payment by the industrial commission or its hearing officers, the employer shall report payments in the same general manner as indicated above.

(D) In all claims, the self-insuring employer shall, upon completion of the payment of compensation and benefits, report that fact to the bureau at the request of the bureau or the commission at any time or at the request of the claimant or claimant's representative where the issue of compensation is pending in a workers' compensation hearing or adjudication matter indicating the dates of the payment of the first and last installments of compensation, and the total amount of each type paid, together with the total amounts expended for benefits other than compensation according to type of benefit.

(1) Such report shall be signed by the employer and the employee or his or her dependents or their legal representatives as the circumstances may require.

(2) Upon receipt of such report by the bureau, it shall be examined to determine whether or not the payments made have been in conformity with the provisions of the workers' compensation law. If it is found that the reported payments do conform to the provisions of the workers' compensation law, the same shall be approved by the bureau and the employer shall be advised thereof. If it is found that the reported payments do not conform, the bureau shall notify the employer of that fact indicating the further payments that are to be made. The employer shall make such payments and file a revised report with the bureau.

(3) If, for any reason, it is impossible for the employer to promptly file a report of payments or an agreement as to compensation paid or to be paid, the employer shall immediately report that fact and the reason to the bureau. Failure to do so shall be sufficient reason for the administrator to take such action as may be indicated.

(E) Where compensation has been ordered paid or where the employee and employer have agreed upon the compensation to be paid, request to the bureau may be made by either the employer, the employee, or the employee's dependents for authorization to pay all or part of the unpaid balance of the award in one or more lump sum payments.

(F) Whenever a self-insured employer that is a professional sports franchise domiciled in Ohio makes payment pursuant to the terms of a contract of hire or a collective bargaining agreement during a period of disability resulting from the injury or occupational disease, the self-insurer shall report such payments on the same basis as required in paragraph (A) of this rule. The total amount of such payments, the period of disability for which those payments were made, and the amount such payments exceed the compensation that was due for that period shall be reported. The amount such payments exceed the compensation payable or, in the event no compensation was payable, the total amounts of such payments, shall be considered advanced payments and shall be applied to offset future payments of compensation for disability under sections 4123.56 to 4123.58 of the Revised Code. The self-insurer shall report these offsets on the same basis as required in paragraph (A) of this rule. Offsets shall be made only in cases where the employee's application for compensation is pending on or after August 22, 1986.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.11, 4121.30
Amplifies: 4121.121, 4123.05, 4123.35
Five Year Review Date: 6/1/2024
Rule 4123-3-14 | Procedure in the original adjudication of non-complying employers' claims.
 

Where the bureau originally adjudicates a claim and determines that the employer is a non-complying employer, the bureau shall note the employer's non-complying employer status in the claim and the bureau order. The bureau shall notify the employer of the filing of the application and the employer's noncompliance, and shall proceed to secure the employer's obligation to reimburse the bureau for any cost of the claim as provided in rule 4123-14-04 of the Administrative Code.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.121, 4123.05, 4123.57
Amplifies: 4121.13, 4121.30
Five Year Review Date: 6/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 10/17/1968, 10/4/2004
Rule 4123-3-15 | Claim procedures subsequent to allowance.
 

(A) Requests for subsequent actions when a state fund claim has not had activity or a request for further action within a period of time in excess of twenty-four months.

(1) The bureau shall consider a request for subsequent action in a claim in the following situations:

(a) Where the employee requests that the bureau or commission modify or alter an award of compensation or benefits that has been previously granted; or

(b) Where the employee requests that the bureau or commission grant a new award of compensation or to settle the claim; or

(c) Where the claimant requests that the allowance of a disability or condition not previously considered; or

(d) Where the claimant dies and there is potential entitlement for accrued benefits or payment of medical bills, or the decedent's dependent is requesting death benefits due to relatedness between the recognized injury and death.

(e) Except for a medical issue relating to a prosthetic device or durable medical equipment as designated by the administrator, the bureau, in consultation with the MCO assigned to the claim, shall issue an order on a medical treatment reimbursement request in a claim which has not had activity or a request for further action within a period of time in excess of twenty-four months as follows:

(i) The MCO shall refer a medical treatment reimbursement request in a claim which has not had activity or a request for further action within a period of time in excess of twenty-four months to the bureau for an order when the request is accompanied by supporting medical evidence dated not more than sixty days prior to the date of the request, or when such evidence is subsequently provided to the MCO upon request (via "Form C-9A" or equivalent). The bureau's order shall address both the causal relationship between the original injury and the current incident precipitating the medical treatment reimbursement request in a claim and the necessity and appropriateness of the requested treatment. The employer or the employee or the representative may appeal the bureau's order to the industrial commission pursuant to section 4123.511 of the Revised Code.

(ii) The MCO may dismiss without prejudice, and without referral to the bureau for an order, a medical treatment reimbursement request in a claim which has not had activity or a request for further action within a period of time in excess of twenty-four months when the request is not accompanied by supporting medical evidence dated not more than sixty days prior to the date of the request and such evidence is not provided to the MCO upon request (via "Form C-9A" or equivalent).

(2) Requests which require proof shall conform to the standards required by paragraph (C) of rule 4123-3-09 of the Administrative Code and rules 4123-5-18 and 4123-6-20 of the Administrative Code.

(a) Medical evidence is required to substantiate a request for temporary total disability.

(b) Medical evidence is required to substantiate the allowance of a disability or condition not previously considered.

(3) In state fund cases, upon a request for subsequent action under paragraph (A)(1) of this rule, the bureau shall, upon notification, inform the parties to the claim of the pending action prior to issuing a decision. Upon request, the bureau shall provide a copy of the request and proof to the employer and the claimant, and their representatives, where applicable. Requests in self-insuring employers' cases shall be submitted to the self-insuring employer which shall accept or refuse the matters sought.

(4) The bureau or commission may require the filing of additional proof or legal citations by either party or may make such investigation or inquiry as the circumstances may require.

(5) A state fund employer shall, upon receipt of notification of the request, notify the bureau of any objection to the granting of the relief requested. Such notification must be filed within the time as required by the rules of the bureau and industrial commission.

(6) Such requests shall be determined with or without formal (public) hearing as the circumstances presented require. If the request is within the jurisdiction of the bureau and the matter is not contested or disputed, the bureau shall adjudicate the request in the usual manner. In all other cases, the request shall be acted upon by the industrial commission's hearing officer or as otherwise required by the rules of the commission, depending on the subject matter.

(7) Failure by the employee to furnish information as specifically requested by the bureau or commission shall be considered sufficient reason for the dismissal of the request. If the employer fails to furnish any information requested by the bureau or commission, the request may be adjudicated upon the proof filed.

(B) "Application for Determination of Percentage of Permanent Partial Disability or Increase of Permanent Partial Disability" pursuant to division (A) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code in state fund and self-insured claims.

(1) An "Application for Determination of Percentage of Permanent Partial Disability or Increase of Permanent Partial Disability" shall be completed and signed by the applicant or applicant's representative and shall be filed with the bureau of workers' compensation. An application for an increase in permanent partial disability must be accompanied by substantial evidence of new and changed circumstances which have developed since the time of the hearing on the original or last determination. The bureau shall dismiss an unsigned application. Except where an additional condition has been allowed in the claim and the request is for an increase in permanent partial disability based solely on that additional condition, the bureau shall dismiss a request for an increase in permanent partial disability filed without medical documentation. Whenever the applicant or applicant's representative leaves a question or questions in the application form unanswered, the bureau shall contact the applicant and applicant's representative to obtain the information necessary to process the application. Should the applicant or applicant's representative inform the bureau that the failure to provide the information necessary to process the application is beyond the applicant's control, the bureau shall take appropriate action to obtain such information.

(2) Upon the filing of the application for either of these requests, the application shall be referred to the bureau for review and processing. The bureau shall send notice of the application to the employer and the employer's representative, unless the employer is out of business. The employer shall submit any proof within its possession bearing upon the issue to the bureau within thirty days of the receipt of the claimant's application.

(3) The bureau shall contact each applicant for a determination of the percentage of permanent partial disability to schedule an examination by a physician designated by the bureau. If the applicant fails to respond to the bureau's attempt to schedule the examination or fails to appear for the examination, the bureau may dismiss the application as provided in rule 4123-3-15.1 of the Administrative Code. The examining physician shall file a report of such examination, together with an evaluation of the degree of impairment as a part of the claim file. The bureau shall send a copy of the report of the medical examination to the employee, the employer, and their representatives.

(4) Upon receipt of the examining physician's report, the bureau shall review the medical evidence in the employee's claim file and shall make a tentative order as the evidence at the time of the making of the order warrants. If the bureau determines that there is a conflict of evidence, the bureau shall forward the application, along with the claimant's file, to the industrial commission to set the application for hearing before a district hearing officer.

(5) Where there is no conflict of evidence, the bureau shall enter a tentative order on the request for percentage of permanent partial disability and shall notify the employee, the employer, and their representatives, in writing, of the tentative order and of the parties' right to request a hearing. Unless the employee, the employer, or their representative notifies the bureau, in writing, of an objection to the tentative order within twenty days after receipt of the notice thereof, the tentative order shall go into effect and the employee shall receive the compensation provided in the order. In no event shall there be a reconsideration of a tentative order issued under this division.

(6) If the employee, the employer, or their representatives timely notify the bureau of an objection to the tentative order, the bureau shall refer the matter to a district hearing officer who shall set the application for hearing in accordance with the rules of the industrial commission. Upon referral to a district hearing officer, the employer may obtain a medical examination of the employee, pursuant to the rules of the industrial commission.

(7) Where the application is for an increase in the percentage of permanent partial disability, no sooner than sixty days from the date of mailing of the application to the employer and the employer's representative, the applicant shall either be examined, or the claim referred for review by a physician designated by the bureau. Such period may be extended or the processing of the application suspended by the bureau for good cause shown. If the bureau has determined that the employer is out of business the bureau will not mail the application and may process the application without waiting the sixty day period. The bureau physician shall file a report of such examination or review of the record, together with an evaluation of the degree of impairment, as part of the claim file. Either the employee or the employer may submit additional medical evidence following the examination by the bureau medical section as long as copies of the evidence are submitted to all parties.

(8) After completion of the review or examination by a physician designated by the bureau, the bureau may issue a tentative order based upon the evidence in file. If the bureau determines that there is a conflict in the medical evidence, the bureau shall adopt the recommendation of the medical report of the bureau medical examination or medical review.

(9) The bureau shall enter a tentative order on the request for an increase of permanent partial disability and shall notify the employee, the employer, and their representatives, in writing, of the nature and amount of any tentative order issued on the application requesting an increase in the percentage of the employee's permanent disability. The employee, the employer, or their representatives may object to the tentative order within twenty days after the receipt of the notice thereof. If no timely objection is made, the tentative order shall go into effect. In no event shall there be a reconsideration of a tentative order issued under this division. If an objection is timely made, the bureau shall refer the matter to a district hearing officer who shall set the application for a hearing in accordance with the rules of the industrial commission. The employer may obtain a medical examination of the employee and submit a defense medical report at any stage of the proceedings up to a hearing before a district officer.

(10) Where an award under division (A) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code has been made prior to the death of an employee, the bureau shall pay all unpaid installments accrued or to accrue to the surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, to the dependent children of the employee, and if there are no such children surviving, then to such other dependents as the bureau may determine.

(C) Payment of permanent partial disability pursuant to division (B) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code (scheduled loss) in state fund and self-insured employer claims.

(1) The bureau or self-insuring employer will determine the payment of scheduled loss for a loss by amputation or for a loss of use upon the motion of a party for such award. To determine the payment of the award, the bureau or self-insuring employer may review the medical evidence in the file, may request additional medical information from the parties, or may refer the claimant for an examination by a physician designated by the bureau or self-insuring employer.

(2) The bureau shall enter an order on or the self-insuring employer shall make a decision on the payment of scheduled loss and shall notify the employee, the employer, and their representatives, in writing, of the order or decision. The parties have a right to appeal the order or contest the decision pursuant to section 4123.511 of the Revised Code.

(3) Upon an order for the payment of scheduled loss for a loss, the bureau or self-insuring employer shall calculate such award pursuant to the statutory schedule of division (B) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code. The bureau or self-insuring employer shall pay the award to the claimant in weekly payments as provided in division (B) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code.

(4) Where a scheduled loss has been ordered but not paid prior to the death of an employee, upon application, the award is payable to the surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, to the dependent children of the employee, and if there are no such children surviving, then to such other dependents as the bureau may determine.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4121.30, 4121.31, 4123.05
Amplifies: 4121.121, 4123.57, 4123.65
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 10/9/1976, 1/16/1978, 8/22/1986 (Emer.), 11/8/1986, 7/16/1990, 11/1/2004, 7/11/2013
Rule 4123-3-15.1 | Dismissal of an application for the determination of percentage of permanent partial disability.
 

(A) This paragraph of this rule applies to any employee's application for a determination of the percentage of permanent partial disability or for an increase of permanent partial disability filed on or after September 29, 2017.

(1) If an employee who files an application for a determination of percentage of permanent partial disability or for an increase of permanent partial disability fails to respond to the bureau's attempt to schedule a medical examination, or fails to attend a medical examination scheduled under section 4123.57 of the Revised Code without notice or explanation, the bureau shall dismiss the application without prejudice. The employee, the employer, or their representative may object to the bureau's tentative order dismissing the application within twenty days after receipt of the notice as provided in section 4123.57 of the Revised Code, and if the employee, the employer, or their representative timely notify the bureau of an objection, the bureau shall refer the matter to a district hearing officer for a hearing.

(a) The bureau shall contact the employee to schedule the employee for an examination on an application for a determination of percentage of permanent partial disability or for an increase of permanent partial disability. The bureau may use a variety of communication methods to contact the employee, such as by telephone, mail, or other methods, but the bureau shall not limit the contact to one method or one attempt if the bureau is not able to contact the employee on the first attempt. If the bureau is unable to contact the employee and the employee is represented, the bureau shall contact the employee's representative for assistance in scheduling the examination. The bureau shall document its contacts in the claim file. If the bureau attempts to contact the employee by mail and the mail is returned undeliverable, the bureau shall attempt to find a correct address for the employee and shall document the attempt in the claim file. If the employee fails to respond to the bureau's attempts to contact the employee to schedule the examination, the bureau shall dismiss the application.

(b) If the bureau schedules the employee for an examination on the employee's application for a determination of the percentage of permanent partial disability or for an increase of permanent partial disability and the employee fails to attend the examination, the bureau shall contact the employee for an explanation why the employee did not attend the examination. If the employee is represented, the bureau shall contact the employee's representative. If the employee provides an explanation for missing the examination, the bureau shall reschedule the employee for an examination. If the employee fails to respond or fails to provide an explanation, the bureau shall dismiss the application.

(2) If the bureau dismisses an employee's application for a determination of percentage of permanent partial disability or for an increase of permanent partial disability under this rule, the employee may refile an application as provided in paragraph (B) of rule 4123-3-15 of the Administrative Code. The employee shall file the application subject to the continuing jurisdiction limitations of section 4123.52 of the Revised Code. A dismissed application does not toll the continuing jurisdiction of the bureau or the industrial commission under section 4123.52 of the Revised Code.

(B) This paragraph of this rule applies to an employee's application for a determination of the percentage of the employee's permanent partial disability or for an increase of permanent partial disability filed under section 4123.57 of the Revised Code that has been suspended pursuant to division (C) of section 4123.53 of the Revised Code as of September 29, 2017.

(1) For an employee's application for a determination of the percentage of the employee's permanent partial disability or for an increase of permanent partial disability filed under section 4123.57 of the Revised Code that has been suspended pursuant to division (C) of section 4123.53 of the Revised Code as of September 29, 2017, the bureau shall send a notice to the employee's last known address informing the employee that the bureau may dismiss the application unless the employee schedules a medical examination with the bureau within thirty days after receiving the notice.

(a) If the employee does not schedule a medical examination with the bureau within thirty days after receiving the notice provided in paragraph (B)(1) of this rule, the bureau may dismiss the application. The employee, the employer, or their representative may object to the bureau's tentative order dismissing the application within twenty days after receipt of the notice as provided in section 4123.57 of the Revised Code, and if the employee, the employer, or their representative timely notify the bureau of an objection, the bureau shall refer the matter to a district hearing officer for a hearing.

(b) For an employee whose application has been suspended who schedules an examination but fails to appear for the examination, the bureau shall follow the same procedure as provided in paragraph (A)(1)(b) of this rule.

(2) If the bureau dismisses an employee's application for a determination of percentage of permanent partial disability or for an increase of permanent partial disability under this rule, the employee may refile the application as provided in paragraph (B) of rule 4123-3-15 of the Administrative Code. The employee shall file the application subject to the continuing jurisdiction limitations of section 4123.52 of the Revised Code. A dismissed application does not toll the continuing jurisdiction of the bureau or the industrial commission under section 4123.52 of the Revised Code.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4121.30, 4121.31, 4123.05
Amplifies: 4121.121, 4123.57, 4123.65
Five Year Review Date: 6/1/2024
Rule 4123-3-16 | Motions.
 

(A) Form C-86 motion shall be used to request action from the bureau or commission.

(B) A motion may be submitted by the employee or the employer to seek a determination by the bureau or the commission on any matter not otherwise provided for in this chapter. It is appropriate to file a motion in order to secure allowance of a disability or condition not previously considered in a claim. A motion shall not be used as a substitute for an untimely appeal.

(C) A motion shall fully set forth the question presented together with a succinct statement of the action or relief sought.

(D) A motion shall be accompanied by substantial competent proof conforming to the standards established in paragraph (C) of rule 4123-3-09 of the Administrative Code.

(E) Except in matters not affecting the rights of the opposite party, the applicant filing a motion shall provide a copy of the motion to the opposite party and the copy of the motion filed with the bureau or the commission shall indicate that a copy has been so provided. When in doubt, the applicant shall provide a copy of the motion to the opposite party.

(F) A motion shall bear the signature of the applicant or the applicant's authorized representative.

(G) Failure to comply with the provisions of this rule shall be sufficient reason for the dismissal of the motion.

(H) Motions shall be adjudicated in the same manner as provided in paragraph (A)(7) of rule 4123-3-15 of the Administrative Code, except motions for allowance of a psychiatric disability (paragraph (I) of this rule).

(I) Procedure governing motions for allowance of a psychiatric disability:

(1) A motion requesting that a claim be additionally recognized for a psychiatric or psychological condition shall include a statement, personally signed and dated by the claimant, acknowledging the claimant is aware the motion is being filed to request that the bureau or commission recognize a psychiatric or psychological condition as being a result of the injury for which the claim is allowed.

(2) A motion requesting the recognition of an additional condition of a psychiatric or psychological nature shall be accompanied by supporting evidence consisting of a report by a licensed psychiatric specialist, a clinical psychologist, a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC), or a licensed independent social worker (LISW).

(3) The bureau may have the claimant scheduled for an examination by an independent specialist.

(4) If the claimant fails to comply with the bureau's request relating to the motion as provided in paragraphs (I)(1) to (I)(3) of this rule, the bureau shall refer the motion to the commission with a recommendation to dismiss the motion.

(5) If there is no conflict in the evidence or the motion is not contested or disputed, the bureau shall adjudicate the motion. If there is a conflict in the evidence or the motion is contested or disputed, the bureau shall refer the motion to the commission for further consideration.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4123.05, 4121.13, 4121.31, 4121.30, 4121.121, 4121.12
Amplifies: 4121.12, 4123.05, 4121.13, 4121.121
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 2/10/2009
Rule 4123-3-17 | Briefs.
 

(A) Parties may, of their own volition, file briefs with the bureau or commission on legal questions presented in claims.

(B) The bureau or commission may require parties to file briefs on legal questions presented in claims. A time certain shall be fixed for the filing of such briefs allowing a reasonable time for preparation.

(C) In either instance, the submitted briefs shall be legibly typewritten on paper not exceeding eight and one-half inches by eleven inches in size and filed without a protective cover. The party filing a brief shall furnish a copy to the opposite party at the time that the brief is filed with the bureau or the commission. If the brief is directed to a matter before the bureau, the brief shall be filed with the bureau. If the brief is directed to the attention of the commission, the brief shall be filed with the commission unless otherwise directed by the commission.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4121.13, 4121.30, 4121.31
Amplifies: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4123.05
Five Year Review Date: 6/1/2024
Rule 4123-3-18 | Appellate procedure.
 

(A) Administrative appeals.

(1) The right of an administrative appeal is limited to the claimant, the dependents of a deceased worker, the employer, and the administrator, where the administrator or the administrator's representative appeals on behalf of the state insurance fund and/or the surplus fund.

(2) The named eligible appellants may appeal decisions of the district hearing officers, or staff hearing officers.

(3) Decisions of district hearing officers are appealable to the staff hearing officers. Decisions of the staff hearing officers are appealable to the industrial commission.

(4) Appeals shall be filed in accordance with rule 4121-3-18 of the Administrative Code.

(5) Appeal applications shall be signed by the party appealing or by authorized representative on behalf of such party. The same applies to the administrator when filing an appeal.

(6) Such applications may be filed with any office of the bureau or of the industrial commission.

(7) The same time limits apply to appeals filed from the decision of the staff hearing officers to the industrial commission.

(8) Appellate review and determination of claims being within the exclusive jurisdiction of the industrial commission, the conduct of hearings and other incidental matters are governed by the rules of the industrial commission.

(9) The bureau's legal division shall act as attorney in appeals filed by the bureau on behalf of the state insurance fund; it may also act as a representative of the administrator in appeals filed by the bureau on behalf of the surplus fund. As a party to the proceedings, the bureau's legal division shall be entitled to proper notice of any action taken by the appellate body on appeals filed by the bureau.

(10) The bureau shall make payment of an award of compensation in a claim at the earliest time provided in division (H) of section 4123.511 of the Revised Code, except that, in all cases of a determination made under division (A) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code for percentage permanent partial disability compensation, no payment shall be made to the claimant until a final decision on reconsideration allows such compensation.

(11) In all other cases, if the decision of the district hearing officer is appealed by the employer or the administrator, the bureau shall withhold medical benefits during the course of appeal to the staff hearing officer, but where the staff hearing officer rules in favor of the claimant, medical benefits shall be paid by the bureau immediately upon the receipt of the order, regardless of whether or not further appeal is taken. In self-insuring employers' claims, payment shall be made in accordance with applicable laws and rules.

(12) Payments of an award of compensation and/or benefits made by the bureau pursuant to a decision of a staff hearing officer shall commence immediately upon the bureau's receipt of the order.

(B) Appeals to court.

(1) The claimant or the employer may appeal an order of the industrial commission made under division (E) of section 4123.511 of the Revised Code in any injury or occupational disease case, other than a decision as to the extent of disability to the court of common pleas of the county in which the injury was inflicted or in which the contract of employment was made if the injury occurred outside the state, or in which the contract of employment was made if the exposure occurred outside the state. If no common pleas court has jurisdiction for the purposes of an appeal by the use of the jurisdictional requirements described in this division, the appellant may use the venue provisions in the Rules of Civil Procedure to vest jurisdiction in a court. If the claim is for an occupational disease, the appeal shall be to the court of common pleas of the county in which the exposure which caused the disease occurred. Like appeal may be taken from an order of a staff hearing officer made under division (D) of section 4123.511 of the Revised Code from which the commission has refused to hear an appeal. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (B)(2) of this rule, the appellant shall file the notice of appeal with a court of common pleas within sixty days after the date of the receipt of the order appealed from or the date of receipt of the order of the commission refusing to hear an appeal of a staff hearing officer's decision under division (D) of section 4123.511 of the Revised Code. The filing of the notice of the appeal with the court is the only act required to perfect the appeal.

(2) Either the claimant or the employer may file a notice of intent to settle the claim within thirty days after the date of the receipt of the order appealed from or of the order of the commission refusing to hear an appeal of a staff hearing officer's decision. The claimant or employer shall file notice of intent to settle on the appropriate form with the administrator of workers' compensation, and the notice shall be served on the opposing party and the party's representative. The filing of the notice of intent to settle extends the time to file an appeal to one hundred fifty days, unless the opposing party files an objection on the appropriate form within fourteen days after the date of the receipt of the notice of intent to settle. The party shall file the objection with the administrator, and the objection shall be served on the party that filed the notice of intent to settle and the party's representative.

(3) "Notice of Appeal" stating the names of the claimant and the employer, the number of the claim, the date of the decision appealed from and the fact that the appellant appeals from such order must be filed with the industrial commission and with the court of common pleas within the timeframes provided in paragraphs (B)(1) and (B)(2) of this rule.

(4) Such appeal or any other action filed from a decision of the industrial commission in a claim in which an award of compensation has been made shall not stay the payment of compensation under such award or payment of compensation for subsequent periods of total disability during the pendency of the appeal.

Last updated October 8, 2021 at 1:10 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121
Amplifies: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4121.13, 4121.30, 4121.31, 4123.05, 4123.512
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 10/17/1968, 4/1/2014
Rule 4123-3-20 | Additional awards by reason of violations of specific safety requirements.
 

The determination of awards by reason of violation of specific safety requirements being within the exclusive jurisdiction of the industrial commission, such applications, if filed with the bureau, shall be referred to the industrial commission for further consideration.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.31, 4121.30, 4121.121
Amplifies: 4121.121, 4123.05
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 10/17/1968
Rule 4123-3-22 | Inspection of claim files.
 

(A) Authorizations for representation shall be in writing and signed by the authorizing party. When the authorization is on behalf of the employee, it shall be filed on an "Claimant Authorized Representative" form or equivalent. There shall be a separate authorization filed with the bureau for each claim to which the authorization is to extend. When the authorization is on behalf of the employer, a blanket authorization may be filed with the bureau.

(B) An authorization may be cancelled by the filing of a notice to that effect with the bureau or by filing a new authorization by another representative. In either event, the party should notify the former representative of the party's action.

(C) The inspection of claim files shall be limited to:

(1) The parties and/or their duly authorized representatives as outlined in paragraphs (A) and (B) of this rule;

(2) Any other person authorized, in writing, by either the employee or the employer; such authorization having been executed within one year prior to its use;

(3) Members of the general assembly when in the course of their duties as such;

(4) The governor, a select committee of the general assembly, a standing committee of the general assembly, the auditor of state, the attorney general, or the designee of any, in the pursuance of any duty imposed by Chapters 4121. and 4123. of the Revised Code.

(5) Duly authorized employees of governmental agencies whose official duties require the information contained in the claim files;

(6) Such other persons as are specifically authorized by a member of the commission or the administrator pursuant to the provisions of section 4123.88 of the Revised Code.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.31, 4121.30, 4121.121, 4121.12
Amplifies: 4121.12, 4123.88, 4123.27, 4121.121
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 1/16/1978, 10/4/2004
Rule 4123-3-23 | Limitations on the filing of fee bills.
 

(A) Except as otherwise provided in this rule, fee bills for medical or vocational rehabilitation services rendered in a claim shall be submitted to the bureau or commission for payment within one year of the date on which the service was rendered or one year after the date the services became payable under division (I) of section 4123.511 of the Revised Code, whichever is later, or shall be forever barred.

(B) A self-insuring employer may, but is not required to, negotiate with a provider to accept fee bills from the provider for a time period other than as set forth in paragraph (A) of this rule.

(C) Paragraph (A) of this rule shall not apply to the following:

(1) Requests made by the centers for medicare and medicaid services in the United States department of health and human services for reimbursement of conditional payments made pursuant to section 1395y(b)(2) of title 42, United States Code (commonly known as the "Medicare Secondary Payer Act");

(2) Requests made by the Ohio department of medicaid, or by a medical assistance provider to whom the department has assigned its right of recovery for a claim for which it has notified the provider that it intends to recoup its prior payment for a claim, for reimbursement under sections 5160.35 to 5160.43 of the Revised Code for the cost of medical assistance paid on behalf of a medicaid recipient;

(3) Requests made by the department of veterans affairs (VA) pursuant to section 1729 of title 38, United States Code for reimbursement of medical treatment provided to an injured worker in or through any VA provider or facility;

(4) Fee bills submitted outside the timeframe set forth in paragraph (A) of this rule due to MCO or bureau error; however, division (A) of section 4123.52 of the Revised Code shall still apply;

(5) Fee bills submitted outside the timeframe set forth in paragraph (A) of this rule because the fee bills were initially submitted to a patient, different third-party payer, or state or federal program other than medicare, medicaid, or the VA that reimburses for medical or vocational rehabilitation services and that patient, payer, or program has determined that it is not responsible for the cost of the services; however, division (A) of section 4123.52 of the Revised Code shall still apply.

(D) Except in cases involving MCO or bureau error, requests for additional payment on fee bills that were initially timely submitted under this rule shall be submitted within one year and seven days of the adjudication of the initial fee bill by the bureau or shall be forever barred. No medical or vocational rehabilitation provider shall bill a claimant for any request for additional payment that is barred under this paragraph.

(E) Paragraphs (A) to (C) of this rule shall apply to bills with dates of service on or after July 29, 2011. Paragraph (D) of this rule shall apply to bills with dates of service on or after September 12, 2011.

Last updated April 19, 2022 at 8:27 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.13, 4121.30, 4121.31, 4123.52
Amplifies: 4121.121, 4123.66
Five Year Review Date: 6/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/1964, 1/16/1978
Rule 4123-3-24 | Fee controversies.
 

When a controversy exists between a party and the party's representative concerning fees for services rendered in industrial claims, either the party or the representative may make a written request to the commission to resolve the dispute. Such request must be completed and filed in accordance with the rules of the industrial commission, the matter being within the exclusive jurisdiction of the industrial commission. Any such request, if filed with the bureau, shall be referred, forthwith, to the industrial commission for further consideration.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4121.30, 4121.31
Amplifies: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4123.06
Five Year Review Date: 6/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/1964
Rule 4123-3-25 | Application for change of occupation allowance.
 

(A) Eligibility for a change of occupation allowance.

(1) Where it is found that a change of occupation is medically advisable for an employee suffering from silicosis, coal miners' pneumoconiosis, or asbestosis contracted in the course of employment, but the employee is not totally disabled therefrom, and any other diseases which may be specified by law for which the statutory allowance for change of occupation may be granted, or

(2) Where it is found that a change of occupation is medically advisable for a fire fighter or police officer suffering from a cardiovascular and pulmonary disease contracted in the course of employment, but the employee is not totally disabled therefrom,

(3) Pursuant to the provisions of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code, such employee shall file a motion in accordance with paragraph (A) of rule 4123-3-16 of the Administrative Code requesting the approval of the statutory allowance for such change of occupation, in order to decrease substantially further injurious exposure.

(B) This rule is applicable to public employees, employees of employers contributing to the private fund, employees of self-insuring employers, and employees of amenable but non-complying employers.

(C) If there is no conflict in the medical or the matter is not contested or disputed, the bureau shall adjudicate the request. If a conflict in the medical exists or the request is contested or disputed, the bureau shall refer the request to the commission for further consideration.

(D) To qualify for an award, the employee must establish by appropriate evidence that the employee has discontinued employment or has changed his or her occupation to one in which the exposure is substantially decreased. The fact that the employee continues employment with the same employer will not preclude the granting of the award so long as the employment subsequent to the change is such that the exposure is substantially decreased and the change of occupation is certified by the claimant as permanent.

(E) An award for change of occupation in excess of the initial thirty weeks must be supported by evidence of employment in an occupation in which the exposure is substantially decreased or evidence of reasonable attempts to secure employment in an occupation in which the exposure is substantially decreased.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121
Amplifies: 4121.12, 4121.121
Five Year Review Date: 6/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/2004, 2/10/2009
Rule 4123-3-29 | Informing the claimant of the right to representation and status of the claim.
 

(A) Whether a claimant is or is not represented in an industrial claim is a matter of the claimant's free choice. No employee of the bureau or of a self-insuring employer shall directly or indirectly convey any information in derogation of this right.

(B) Upon receipt of a claim the bureau shall notify the claimant and the employer of the number assigned to the claim. Also, the claimant shall be informed of his or her right to representation or to elect no representation in the processing of the claim. It shall be the responsibility of the bureau to aid and assist a claimant in the filing of a claim as provided in division (A) of section 4123.511 of the Revised Code.

(C) Upon request, the bureau shall inform the claimant of the status of the claim and of any action necessary to maintain the claim.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4121.30, 4121.31
Amplifies: 4121.12, 4121.121
Five Year Review Date: 6/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 1/16/1978
Rule 4123-3-31 | Disabled workers' relief fund: claimant's payments.
 

(A) On and after August 22, 1986, all persons, without regard to date of injury, who are receiving compensation for permanent and total disability which, when combined with disability benefits received pursuant to the Social Security Act, is less than three hundred forty-two dollars per month adjusted annually as provided in division (B) of section 4123.62 of the Revised Code, shall be eligible to participate in the disabled workers' relief fund. For purposes of this rule, this amount shall be referred to as the "DWRF qualifying figure."

(B) Each person who has satisfied the requirements of paragraph (A) of this rule shall receive from the disabled workers' relief fund a monthly amount equal to either the difference between the DWRF qualifying figure and such amount as the person is receiving per month as disability benefits from the social security administration or the difference between the DWRF qualifying figure and such amount as the person is receiving under the workers' compensation laws for permanent total disability, whichever calculation results in the lower DWRF payment.

(C) For purposes of this rule, in the case of individuals who have received a commutation of permanent total disability benefits pursuant to the provisions of section 4123.64 of the Revised Code, payments from the disabled workers' relief fund shall be calculated as if such commutation had not been made.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121
Amplifies: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4123.412, 4123.413, 4123.414
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 8/22/1986 (Emer.), 2/10/2009
Rule 4123-3-32 | Temporary total examinations.
 

(A) Pursuant to the provisions of section 4123.53 of the Revised Code, the bureau of workers' compensation shall schedule an examination to determine the employee's continued entitlement to temporary total disability compensation, the employee's rehabilitation potential, and the appropriateness of the employee's medical treatment. The bureau shall schedule the examination for a date not later than thirty days following the end of the initial ninety-day period of temporary total disability compensation. The bureau shall mail a copy of the bureau's determination to schedule the examination to the employee, employer, and their authorized representatives, except where the bureau has determined the employer is out of business.

(B) If the result of the medical examination is that the employee continues to receive temporary total disability compensation, the bureau shall determine a date for the employee to be scheduled to be reexamined. The bureau shall determine a date for the subsequent examination based upon the recommendation of the medical examiner or other available evidence. If at the date the bureau has determined to schedule the employee to be reexamined the employee is receiving temporary total disability compensation, the bureau shall schedule the employee for the examination. The bureau shall continue to determine dates to schedule the employee for subsequent examinations as long as the employee continues to receive temporary total disability compensation.

(C) The bureau, for good cause, may waive the scheduling of the employee's medical examination under section 4123.53 of the Revised Code. "Good cause" shall be determined at the discretion of the bureau, but generally shall be for a reason that the medical examination is not feasible, such as the employee's medical instability. The bureau shall contact the employer or the employer's representative if the bureau determines that a waiver of the examination is advisable. If the employer objects to the bureau's waiver of the medical examination, the bureau shall schedule the medical examination. If the employer does not object to the bureau's waiver of the examination, the bureau shall notify the employee, employer, and their authorized representatives of the waiver of the examination, except where the bureau has determined the employer is out of business. If the bureau has waived an examination, the bureau shall determine a date for the employee to be scheduled to be reexamined pursuant to paragraph (B) of this rule.

(D) An employer of an employee scheduled for an examination by the bureau under section 4123.53 of the Revised Code may waive the bureau's scheduling of any such examination. The employer shall notify the bureau of its intent to waive the examination. The employer shall indicate whether the waiver is temporary or permanent, the reason for the waiver, and, if applicable, a recommended subsequent date upon which the employee should be reevaluated for scheduling the examination if the employee is receiving temporary total disability compensation. The waiver shall indicate the name and title of the person waiving the examination for the employer. The bureau may schedule the examination even if the employer waives the examination where the bureau determines that an examination is necessary. The bureau shall cancel the examination if the bureau had scheduled the examination and agrees with the employers waiver of the examination.

(E) The bureau shall conduct ninety day examinations for employees of self-insuring employers upon the request of the self-insuring employer. A self-insuring employer may determine that a ninety day examination is not necessary, and in that instance may decide not to request such examination be conducted by the bureau. At the appropriate time thereafter, the self-insuring employer may request that the ninety day examination be conducted. The self-insuring employer shall pay for the ninety day examination, as well as all reasonable expenses associated with the ninety day examination.

(F) Medical examinations scheduled under this rule shall not operate to limit medical examinations provided for in other provisions of Chapter 4121. or Chapter 4123. of the Revised Code.

Last updated January 23, 2023 at 8:33 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4121.30
Amplifies: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4123.53, 4123.56
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 4/1/2014
Rule 4123-3-34 | Settlement of state fund claims.
 

(A) The procedures of this rule shall apply to the settlement of state fund injury and occupational disease claims.

(B) The employer or the claimant shall file an application for approval of settlement agreement on the appropriate form with the administrator of workers' compensation. Each application shall include the signature of the claimant and the employer, or their authorized legal representative, except as follows:

(1) A claimant may file an application without an employer's signature in the following situations:

(a) The employer is no longer doing business in Ohio;

(b) The claim no longer is in the employer's industrial accident or occupational disease experience as provided in division (B) of section 4123.34 of the Revised Code and the claimant no longer is employed with that employer; or,

(c) The employer has failed to comply with section 4123.35 of the Revised Code.

(2) If a claimant files an application without an employer's signature, and the employer still is doing business in this state, the bureau shall send written notice of the application to the employer immediately upon receipt of the application. If the employer fails to respond to the notice within thirty days after the notice is sent, the application need not contain the employer's signature.

(C) Each settlement application shall:

(1) Include a list of the claim numbers and body parts affected in all claims filed by the claimant with the administrator of workers' compensation or the industrial commission.

(2) Set forth the reason the proposed full and final settlement is deemed desirable by the claimant and state the amount of the requested settlement.

(D) Settlement may be requested for a portion of a claim, one or more claims, or a combination of claims, provided that the claimant is not required to enter into a settlement agreement for every claim that has been filed with the bureau by the claimant.

(E) The administrator shall utilize whatever methods the administrator determines to be appropriate, consistent with general insurance principles, to evaluate a claim for settlement. When a settlement agreement has been approved by the administrator, a notice of approval shall be sent to the claimant, the employer, and their representatives, informing them of their rights to withdraw consent to the settlement agreement within thirty days. . An employer shall not deny or withdraw consent to a settlement application filed under this section if both of the following apply to the claim that is the subject of the application: the claim is no longer within the date of impact pursuant to the employer's industrial accident or occupational disease experience as provided in division (B) of section 4123.34 of the Revised Code; and, the employee named in the application is no longer employed by the employer. Supporting evidence indicating that the claim remains within in the date of impact or that the claimant continues to be employed with the employer may be filed with the employer's withdrawal of consent. If written notice of the withdrawal of consent is not filed within the thirty day period, the settlement agreement is final. A claimant's refusal to endorse a settlement check issued as a result of an agreement reached pursuant to these procedures does not alter the finality of the settlement. The administrator may reopen a settled claim for purposes of conducting a fraud investigation.

(F) The administrator shall also send the notice of approval to the industrial commission within five days from the date of the bureau order of approval. The staff hearing officer shall determine, within the time set forth in paragraph (E) of this rule, whether the settlement agreement is or is not a gross miscarriage of justice. If the staff hearing officer determines within that time period that the settlement agreement is clearly unfair, the staff hearing officer shall issue an order disapproving the settlement agreement. If the staff hearing officer determines that the settlement agreement is not clearly unfair, or fails to act within the time limits, the settlement agreement is approved.

(G) The effective date of the settlement is the date the notice of approval of settlement agreement is mailed. Once the thirty day waiting period has passed as set forth in paragraphs (E) and (F) of this rule, the agreed settlement shall be final and cannot be appealed to the industrial commission or to court.

(H) When a settlement application is filed in a claim in which an application for violation of specific safety requirement has been granted or is pending, the administrator shall refer the claim to the industrial commission for disposition of the application for violation of the specific safety requirement. If the application for the specific safety requirement has been granted and the employer is no longer doing business, or is otherwise not making the payments required by any award for violation of any specific safety requirement, the administrator may approve a final settlement without referring the claim to the industrial commission, provided the administrator identifies any settlement amounts that may be attributed to the award for violation of specific safety requirement. The administrator need not refer to the industrial commission any claim in which the claimant has voluntarily withdrawn an application for violation of a specific safety requirement, provided no portion of the settlement amount is attributed to any violation of a specific safety requirement.

(I) The administrator may offset settlement amounts due the claimant by overpayments owed by the claimant or, where the claimant is also an employer, unpaid premiums owed by a claimant, as the administrator determines appropriate.

(J) The representative's signature for either the claimant or the employer satisfies the requirements for paragraphs (B) and (C) of this rule.

(K) A settled claim may be used as a defense to a claim for the same or similar conditions. A self-insuring employer shall not settle disabled workers' relief fund liability in state fund claims without the administrator's approval.

(L) An employer or claimant who files a notice of intent to settle authorized under section 4123.512 of the Revised Code shall file on the appropriate form with the administrator of workers' compensation prior to filing an application for approval of settlement agreement. If the opposing party does not object within fourteen days of receipt of the notice, the administrator will proceed with the settlement process under this rule.

Last updated October 8, 2021 at 1:10 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4123.52, 4123.65
Amplifies: 4121.30, 4121.31, 4123.05
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 7/12/1999, 7/1/2019
Rule 4123-3-36 | Immediate allowance and payment of medical bills in claims.
 

(A) In accordance with division (A) of section 4123.511 of the Revised Code the administrator has established a program to immediately allow specific medical conditions which have a historical record of being allowed whenever included in a claim and having low medical costs.

The medical conditions that the administrator has determined to be included in the program are indicated in the appendix to this rule.

(B) Upon the initial filing of a claim, the administrator shall investigate the claim and issue an order on the claim as required by section 4123.511 of the Revised Code. The administrator shall consider all of the necessary evidence and relevant laws and rules for the determination of the allowance of a claim. For any medical condition identified in appendix A to this rule, however, the administrator may grant immediate allowance of the medical condition and may make immediate payment of the medical bills relating to that condition, regardless of the receipt of the medical reports for that medical condition or the employer's certification of the claim.

(C) The employer retains the right to contest the immediate allowance and payment of a medical condition in a claim under this rule. If the employer appeals the allowance and payment and the claim is disallowed, the payment for the medical treatment provided prior to the date of the disallowance of that claim shall be charged to and paid from the surplus fund created under section 4123.34 of the Revised Code. The administrator shall not seek reimbursement of the payment from the claimant or the provider.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4121.30, 4121.31, 4123.05
Amplifies: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4123.511
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 2/10/2009
Rule 4123-3-37 | Lump sum advancements.
 

(A) The administrator of the bureau of workers' compensation, under special circumstances, may commute an award of compensation to a lump sum payment when the administrator determines the advancement is advisable for the purpose of providing the claimant or the surviving spouse financial relief or for furthering the claimant's rehabilitation.

(1) The bureau may grant a lump sum advancement to a claimant only from an award of compensation made pursuant to section 4123.58 of the Revised Code or from division (A) or (B) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code.

(2) The bureau may grant a lump sum advancement to a surviving spouse only from an award of death benefits made pursuant to section 4123.59 of the Revised Code. However, the advancement cannot exceed the amount of death benefits payable to the surviving spouse over a two-year period.

(3) The bureau will not grant a lump sum advancement to a surviving dependent from an award of compensation made pursuant to division (B) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code.

(4) The bureau will not grant a lump sum advancement in a claim where the allowance of the award of compensation made pursuant to section 4123.58 of the Revised Code or from division (A) or (B) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code is on appeal under section 4123.511 of the Revised Code or an appeal to court.

(5) The industrial commission has exclusive jurisdiction over an application for a lump sum advancement for the payment of attorney fees incurred in securing an award. The bureau will refer such applications to the industrial commission to adjudicate.

(B) A claimant or the surviving spouse requests a lump sum advancement by filing a fully completed application with the bureau.

(1)

(a) The claimant or surviving spouse is to provide proof that there are special circumstances for the lump sum advancement and that the lump sum advancement is advisable for the purpose of providing financial relief or for furthering the claimant's rehabilitation.

(b) The bureau may dismiss an application for a lump sum advancement where the claimant or surviving spouse has not provided proof of special circumstances and proof of financial relief or for furthering the claimant's rehabilitation.

(2) The bureau will review the application and utilize whatever methods the bureau determines to be appropriate, consistent with general insurance principles, to evaluate the claim for a lump sum advancement.

(3) For a lump sum advancement from an award of compensation made pursuant to section 4123.58 of the Revised Code or from an award of death benefits pursuant to section 4123.59 of the Revised Code, if the bureau determines the lump sum advancement is advisable, the bureau will calculate the net present value of the lump sum advancement on the remaining compensation payable to the claimant or benefits payable to the spouse. The bureau will determine the amount of the biweekly rate reduction and the terms of such reduction. The administrator will fix a specific time for the reduction of the biweekly rate of compensation to offset the lump sum advancement depending upon the time period the claimant or surviving spouse has selected for the offset of the lump sum advancement, when applicable. Once a claimant or surviving spouse has selected a time period for the offset of the lump sum advancement, the claimant or surviving spouse cannot change the time period. The bureau will include the net present value of the lump sum advancement in determining the reduction of the biweekly rate of compensation.

(4) For a lump sum advancement of an award made pursuant to division (A) or (B) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code, if the bureau determines the lump sum advancement is advisable, the bureau will calculate the net present value of the lump sum advancement on the remaining weeks of compensation payable to the claimant and in determining the amount to be paid to the claimant for the lump sum advancement.

(5) In determining the net present value of a lump sum advancement, the bureau will use the discount factor as periodically established by the bureau.

(6) The bureau will issue an order approving or disapproving the application. If the bureau approves the application, the order will advise the claimant or surviving spouse of the amount of reduction of compensation and the terms of the lump sum advancement.

(C) Maximum rate reduction in compensation.

(1) No lump sum advancement will be approved that will result in a rate reduction of more than one-third of the biweekly rate of compensation, except where the advancement is for compensation under division (A) or (B) of section 4123.57 of the Revised Code. The bureau will not include an advancement for attorney's fees in accordance with section 4123.06 of the Revised Code in the calculation of the maximum rate reduction limitation.

(2) The bureau may approve no more than two concurrent lump sum advancements in a claim in addition to an advancement for attorney fees that the industrial commission has granted in accordance with section 4123.06 of the Revised Code.

(3) Upon the recoupment of the lump sum advancement in accordance with the terms of the order and agreement, the bureau will remove the rate reduction due to the lump sum advancement and reinstate the claimant's rate of compensation or the surviving spouse's benefits.

(D) The lump sum advancement warrant will include the claimant or the surviving spouse as a payee, except where the warrant is for the payment of attorney's fees in accordance with section 4123.06 of the Revised Code, in which case the attorney will be named as the only payee on the warrant.

Last updated September 15, 2023 at 8:24 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4121.30, 4121.31, 4123.05
Amplifies: 4123.57, 4123.64, 4123.65
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 11/13/2015
Rule 4123-3-38 | Surplus fund charge of qualified motor vehicle accident claims.
 

(A) Pursuant to section 4123.932 of the Revised Code and when an employer satisfies all of the requirements of this rule, the bureau shall charge to the surplus fund created under division (B) of section 4123.34 of the Revised Code any compensation and benefits related to a compensable workers' compensation claim based on a motor vehicle accident involving a third party. This rule applies only to claims arising on or after July 1, 2017.

(B) Eligibility requirements.

(1) This rule does not apply to self-insuring employers, state agencies, or a state institution of higher education, including its hospitals.

(2) This rule applies to private state fund employers and public employer taxing district employers that pay premiums into the state insurance fund.

(a) The employer must have had active workers' compensation coverage on the date of injury of the claim.

(b) The employer must be current with respect to all payments due the bureau, as defined in paragraph (A)(1)(b) of rule 4123-17-14 of the Administrative Code.

(c) The employer must be current on the payment schedule of any part-pay agreement into which it has entered for payment of premiums or assessment obligations.

(C) If an employer believes the bureau should charge a claim to the surplus fund under this rule, the employer may file an application with the bureau requesting the bureau determine whether the claim is to be charged to the surplus fund. The bureau will not review or consider charging a claim to the surplus fund under this rule unless the employer files an application in accordance with this rule.

(D) The employer's application to charge a claim to the surplus fund shall include all of the following:

(1) Evidence that the claim is based on a motor vehicle accident involving a third party. "Motor vehicle" has the same meaning as in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) Evidence that either of the following circumstances apply to the claim:

(a) The third party involved in the motor vehicle accident was issued a citation for violation of any law or ordinance regulating the operation of a motor vehicle arising from the accident on which the claim is based and that any form of insurance maintained by the third party or uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage as described in section 3937.18 of the Revised Code covers damages caused by the motor vehicle accident which gave rise to the claim.

(i) The employer does not need to prove that the third party was convicted of the citation.

(ii) The employer does not need to prove that the insurance accepts complete liability for the motor vehicle accident, but only that the insurance accepts liability for some portion of the accident and pays costs associated therewith.

(b) If there is evidence that the third party was not issued a citation arising from the accident, the employer shall provide evidence that the third party involved in the motor vehicle accident was primarily liable for the accident on which the claim was based and that any form of insurance maintained by the third party or uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage as described in section 3937.18 of the Revised Code covers damages caused by the motor vehicle accident which gave rise to the claim.

(i) "Primarily liable" means that the third party involved in the motor vehicle accident is more than fifty per cent liable for purposes of section 2315.33 of the Revised Code.

(ii) The employer does not need to prove that the insurance accepts complete liability for the motor vehicle accident, but only that the insurance accepts primary liability for the accident and pays costs associated therewith.

(E) Within one hundred eighty days after the bureau receives the employer's application, the bureau shall determine whether the claim shall be charged to the surplus fund under this rule.

(1) If the bureau believes the employer has not provided all of the information necessary for the bureau to make the determination, the bureau shall contact the employer for the employer to provide the additional evidence required prior to denying an application.

(2) If the bureau determines that the employer failed to establish that the bureau should charge the claim to the surplus fund under this rule, the bureau shall deny the application with an explanation of the reasons for the denial.

(3) If the bureau fails to make a determination within the time required, the application shall be deemed approved and the bureau shall charge the claim to the surplus fund.

(F) If the bureau determines that the employer's claim shall be charged to the surplus fund created under division (B) of section 4123.34 of the Revised Code or if the application is deemed approved because the bureau failed to make a determination within the time provided for in paragraph (E) of this rule, the bureau shall charge all of the costs of the claim to the surplus fund.

(1) If the bureau previously included the costs of the claim in the calculation of the employer's experience in a prior policy year, the bureau shall adjust the employer's experience in the prior policy year, subject to the limitation provided in paragraph (F)(2) of this rule.

(2) In accordance with paragraph (C)(2) of rule 4123-17-17 of the Administrative Code, the bureau shall limit any adjustments in an employer's account which result in changes to the amount of premium due from an employer for a policy year to the annual or adjustment periods ending within twenty-four months immediately prior to the date the employer filed its application under this rule.

(G) The bureau's denial of an employer's application to charge a claim to the surplus fund under this rule is appealable to the adjudicating committee under section 4123.291 of the Revised Code.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121
Amplifies: 4123.93, 4123.931, 4123.932
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 9/21/2017