CareWorks Comp is committed to keeping our partners and their members up-to-date on necessary, temporary changes in Ohio workers’ compensation and guidelines for work-at-home employees as we all navigate the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is initiating temporary policy changes that will allow flexibility in the provision of care to injured workers. These changes will be effective until the state of emergency related to COVID-19 is lifted within the state where the injured resides.
Injured Workers/Providers
- Telemedicine – BWC will temporarily permit the injured worker’s home as an acceptable origination site.
- Telephone services – BWC will temporarily permit MCOs to authorize the use of telephone visits in lieu of face-to-face visits for injured workers in a state of crisis or who are at risk to travel to a face-to-face visit during the state of emergency.
- Prior authorization requirements – BWC will waive the prior authorization requirement for telephone services when:
- The provider substitutes a telephone call in lieu of face-to-face visit for previously approved psychological counseling service; or
- A provider eligible to render an E&M service substitutes a telephone call in lieu of face to-face E&M visit when the provider determines the visit would create an unnecessary or increased risk of exposure to either the injured worker or provider.
- Billing and reimbursement – Telemedicine services that meet the guidelines will be reimbursed at the same rate as equivalent face-to-face visits. To be eligible, providers must have an active license in the state where the injured worker is located.
- Medical documentation – Under the temporary policy change, providers are required to reference the following:
- Current state of emergency for COVID-19; and
- Intention to limit exposure of injured worker or provider to COVID-19; and
- Delivery means of the care, either through synchronous telemedicine or telephone delivery; and o Location (origination site) of the injured worker, including the state if the injured worker does not reside in Ohio.
Employers
- BWC announced that insurance premium installment payments due for March, April and May for the current policy year may be deferred until June 1, 2020, at which time the matter will be reconsidered. This is for public and private employers.
- BWC will not lapse (cancel) coverage or assess penalties for amounts not paid because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Installment payments due for the three-month period total approximately $200 million.
Claim Compensability for Work from Home Employees
Many employers are concerned about coverage for their employees who may be sent to work from home on a temporary basis. Each claim is unique and will have its own set of facts to guide us. Below are some general guidelines to keep in mind in the event that you have a teleworker who files a claim application. The scenarios described below are not all encompassing but should give you some direction as you investigate these instances:
Questions about COVID-19? Visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH for answers.
Questions for CareWorks Comp? Email us at [email protected].